UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The annual Penn State Undergraduate Exhibition for Research, Inquiry and Creative Activity will be open to the public on Wednesday, April 22, giving community members, friends and families a chance to explore student research and creative work from across a wide range of fields.
The event will take place in Alumni Hall at the HUB-Robeson Center and will be held in two sessions, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m. Undergraduate students will present projects developed through coursework, research, and faculty-mentored experiences, offering a look into work being done both in and out of the classroom.
Virtual presentations of exhibition submissions are available now through April 22. "An Evening of Creative Inquiry in Music" will be held at 7:30 p.m. on April 21 at the Recital Hall, University Park.
Skyler Tan, a second-year pre-med student at Penn State, said the exhibition is a valuable opportunity for students to share their work and receive feedback.
“It’s always important to find opportunities to tell other people about your research — to hear feedback on what you can improve and what you’ve done well,” Tan said.
Tan, who conducts research focused on malaria, emphasized the broader impact of undergraduate research.
“Research is very important and it is how we progress ourselves,” Tan said, adding that it is especially important to work on projects that have a tangible impact on people’s lives.
Tan also highlighted what makes the Undergraduate Exhibition unique compared to other academic events.
“It’s one of the few things at Penn State that’s more university-wide instead of college-specific,” Tan said. “It is good to zoom out and see what's going on in these other areas.”
Along with showcasing student projects, the exhibition lets attendees speak directly with presenters to learn more about research happening across campus.
For those considering attending, Tan encourages students and community members to stop by.
“It’s a really fun experience, even if you’re not presenting,” Tan said. “You might come in expecting one thing and leave having learned something new.”
The Undergraduate Exhibition is coordinated by Penn State Undergraduate Education.