Today starts the University Central Florida’s ultimate science fair event of the year! From Monday, April 1 through Thursday, April 4, 2013, Student Research Week showcases the contributions UCF students are making in modern research.

Whether you are new to academic research, or you are already knee-deep in your own, or you just want to check out the remarkable research other UCF students have undertaken, Student Research Week is an invaluable resource for students of all class standing and individuals in all stages of research.

Research Week kicks off on April 1 with the seminar “Hunger Knows No Friend” presented by Dr. James Wright of the Institute of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Learn about a series of undergraduate and graduate student research projects dealing with hunger and food insecurity in Central Florida.

The Graduate Research Forum and the Showcase of Undergraduate Research Excellence (SURE), on April 2 and April 4 respectively, feature student research and creative projects displayed in poster format from a diverse array of colleges and disciplines.

Student research topics run the gamut and are sure to fascinate, including studies on gender dynamics from the Arab world, Cerberus robots, neurodegenerative mutations, carbon nanotube thin film transistors, backpacker tourism in Latin America, encouraging environmental behaviors on campus, and the American college student’s fast food diet.

SURE and the Forum serve as great opportunities for participating students to show off their work, and receive valuable feedback from faculty judges. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the public can come to explore the remarkable research that UCF students have undertaken in order to help solve real-world challenges, and enhance their academic experience.

To help other students embark on their own research endeavors, workshops and panel discussions will be held throughout Student Research Week to inform students how to organize and present research, write grants, and secure the funding to make it happen.

The State of STEAM art exhibit will be on display at the UCF Art Gallery on April 4. The Exhibit will contain art pieces created by the Visual Arts and Design (VAD) students, based on the research of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students.

Do not miss out on this exciting weeklong celebration of student research and creative projects. All events are open to the public. No RSVP is required.