MEDIA ADVISORY

USC Aiken Summer Scholars Institute to Showcase Research

Aiken, SC (07/25/2019) — The University of South Carolina Aiken hosts its second Summer Scholars Institute Symposium, featuring the research of undergraduates, on July 31, from 1-3 p.m., in the Gregg Graniteville Library.

The media and public are invited to attend.

"The sole purpose of the Summer Scholars Institute is to get our students involved in undergraduate research. We want our students to "do science," said Dr. Chad Leverette, interim dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering.

"They need to apply what they are learning and learn how to think outside of the box by working on cutting-edge research projects.

"For many of our students, it is the first time they have worked independently on a scientific research project with the mentorship of a faculty member."

Undergraduate research is considered a "high impact practice" that has been recognized nationally as increasing student engagement and student learning, Leverette says. It develops critical thinking in students and provides them with professional experience that supports and develops their knowledge of their disciplines.