Students braved the cold and snow on February 1 to attend the 2018 Undergraduate Sustainability Research and Education Expo. The fourth annual event was held in the atrium of Stinson-Remick Hall and was hosted by the Campus Coalition on Research and Education for Sustainability (CREST).
While a majority of those in attendance were students from the Colleges of Engineering and Science, the expo had an even wider appeal. Over 25 majors, from accounting to political science, were represented by the nearly 80 students who passed through to gather information about opportunities in research and educational experiences in energy, the environment, and other sustainability topics.
The 31 expo participants ranged among faculty research groups, academic minors, and external organizations looking to make connections with undergraduates.
Students were able to fill out research applications on site, indicating their greatest areas of interest and availability over the next year. The participating faculty members will then be able to use this information to fill various positions within their research labs.
The participating research groups and projects included:
- Actinide Geochemistry- Hixon Research Group
- Catalytic Conversion of Methane and Carbon Dioxide into Hydrogen Gas – Wolf Research Group
- Energy and Sustainable Development with Design – Mechtenberg Research Group
- Filling the Tank with Sunshine – Lightcap Research Group
- Historical Forest and Marsh Ecology – McLachlan Research Group
- Laboratory for Advanced Environmental Research – Doudrick Research Group
- Water purification and Advanced Transport Engineering Research (W.A.T.E.R.) – Phillip Research Group
Various academic programs and organizations were also on hand to share information about educational and outreach opportunities.
- Center for Career Development
- Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame (ND Energy)
- Energy Studies Minor
- Environmental Change Initiative and Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility (ND-LEEF)
- Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement (CUSE)
- IDEA Center
- Kellogg Institute for International Studies
- Minor in Resiliency and Sustainability of Engineering Systems
- Minor in Sustainability
- ND Energy Student Energy Board
- ND Food Rescue U.S.
- Notre Dame Stewardship and Sustainability Alumni Network
- Reilly Center for Science, Technology & Values
- University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center (UNDERC)
The event also served as the kickoff to the Vincent P. Slatt Endowment for Undergraduate Research in Energy Systems and Processes. From February 1 to February 28, ND Energy is accepting applications for fellowship awards to support research projects in the areas of energy technologies and America’s energy future.
Resources were not limited to the Notre Dame campus, as a handful of local organizations shared their external opportunities with students as well.
- Bertrand Farm
- Bowman Creek Educational Ecosystem–Engineering
- Center for a Sustainable Future–Indiana University South Bend
- Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College
- Prairie Winds Nature Farm, Inc.
- Unity Gardens
- Urban Forestry & Native Habitat - City of Mishawaka
The Undergraduate Sustainability Research and Education Expo is held annually in late January or early February. Current members of CREST are the Environmental Change Initiative, GLOBES at the Reilly Center, Minor in Sustainability, and ND Energy.
ND Energy is a University Research Center whose mission is to build a better world by creating new energy technologies and systems and educating individuals to help solve the most critical energy challenges facing our world today. For more information, visit the ND Energy website at energy.nd.edu or contact Barbara Villarosa, Business and Communications Program Director, at bvillaro@nd.edu or 574-631-4776.
Originally published by at energy.nd.edu on February 13, 2018.