Judges, students and volunteers wanted for UMaine’s premiere celebration of student achievement on April 12
by Deanna Rice
The annual Student Symposium offers students from the University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias the opportunity to showcase the research, scholarship and creative activities they developed over the academic year. The symposium draws more than 2,000 people from across both campuses as well as event sponsors, legislators, business leaders and members of the greater community, fostering conversations and collaborations. The 2024 event is on April 12 and hosted by the Center for Undergraduate Research, Student Government, Graduate School and Graduate Student Government.
Students who present at the symposium gain valuable experience networking with their peers, mentors and future employers and honing their skills for their future careers. The top-scoring graduate and undergraduate presentations in each category will receive a monetary prize and an award certificate. Students who wish to showcase their work are invited to submit an abstract that includes details of their poster, exhibit or oral presentation online by 4 p.m. on March 4. Guidance for writing abstracts and templates for displays are available on the Student Symposium’s website.
The symposium is judged by people with a variety of educational and professional backgrounds from across campus and the state of Maine. No specific credentials are required, any adult willing to enhance the experience of presenting students is welcome to volunteer as a judge. More information about serving as a judge and a registration form are available online.
A team of volunteers make the symposium possible each year. Any member of the public is welcome to help support this celebration of student achievement. Opportunities include setting up the venue the day before the event, welcoming attendees and presenters, moderating oral presentations and cleaning up after the event. During their shifts, volunteers are provided meals and a symposium shirt to wear. Volunteers can sign up for one or more two-hour shifts online.
The symposium’s 2024 keynote speaker is Sreeram “Ram” Dhurjaty, Ph.D., a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the largest technical professional society in the world. His talk, entitled, “Consequences of Approximations in Science and Engineering,” will begin at 2:00 pm in the field house, followed by musical performances and the symposium’s awards ceremony.
More information about how to attend the event, volunteer, become a judge or submit an abstract is available on the UMaine Student Symposium website.
Contact: UMaine Student Symposium planning committee, um.symposium@maine.edu.