Author: Berkey, Melissa

How to Design Your Research Question

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By: Matthew Lin, OUR Peer Research Ambassador

For centuries, man has attempted to find immortality to no avail. Juan Ponce de Leon couldn’t find its Fountain; alchemists threw together chemicals to manufacture an elixir of life. Yet, in the rocky depths of the ocean there exists a creature that seems to have found the secret to endless life.

No, it’s not an ancient dinosaur nor a mutant monster. Nor is it a small microscopic organism. In fact, it’s the humble lobster.

Lobsters have been known to be what’s called “biologically immortal.” Their rate of mortality and cellular aging appears to be decreased or even stable when compared to its chronological age. Reports have said that older lobsters are even more fertile than younger ones. The oldest reported lobster was 140-years-old.

What’s their secret?

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Troubleshooting the Research Process

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By: Marisa Boch, OUR Peer Research AmbassadorTroubleshooting the Research Process Blog Post

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison

Full disclosure: the research process can be tedious. Progress may be slow, with setbacks seemingly more frequent than advances. Nevertheless, it is important not to get discouraged and, instead, to look at failure with a critical eye. Be open to what the results suggest. Troubleshoot. Use this failure to pave the way for discovery.

For me, my most notable experience with research setbacks occurred this past summer. I had received a Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF) Award to work full-time on my independent research project, and I had high expectations for the progress I was going to make over the course of those 11 weeks. I wanted to achieve X, Y, and Z, and I had a clear-cut timeline for meeting those goals. In the end, however, I only achieved X (after failing several times over) and half of Y (hence why I am using this experience as an example of “setbacks in research”). Here is my story:
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• Congratulations, Spring 2017 UConn IDEA Grant Recipients!

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idea_logo_standard_color_bottomWEB_cropCongratulations to the twenty-nine UConn undergraduates who have been awarded UConn IDEA Grants in the spring 2017 funding cycle!

Nineteen of the award recipients will be completing individual projects, and ten will be working on collaborative group projects. The award recipients represent a variety of disciplines, from nursing to elementary education, animal science to biomedical engineering. They will work on designing prototypes and software systems; producing short films, graphic novels, and animations; developing educational programs; and conducting independent research.

Click here to view the full list of spring 2017 UConn IDEA Grant award recipients.

Special thanks to the faculty and staff that supported student applications to the UConn IDEA Grant and to those who will be mentoring the award recipients as they complete their projects. We would also like to thank the faculty and staff from around the University who served as reviewers.

The UConn IDEA Grant program awards funding to support self-designed projects including artistic endeavors, community service initiatives, traditional research projects, entrepreneurial ventures, and other creative and innovative projects. Undergraduates in all majors at all UConn campuses can apply. Applications are accepted twice per year from individuals and from small groups who plan to work collaboratively on a project. The next application deadline will be in December 2017.

• Congratulations, Fall 2016 UConn IDEA Grant Recipients!

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idea_logo_standard_color_bottomWEB_cropCongratulations to the twenty-two UConn undergraduates who have been awarded UConn IDEA Grants in the fall 2016 funding cycle!

Sixteen of the award recipients will be completing individual projects, and six will be working on collaborative group projects. The award recipients represent a variety of disciplines – from marine sciences to political science, illustration to biomedical engineering – and include two recipients from the Avery Point campus. They will create multimedia exhibitions, develop prototypes, assess educational interventions, and evaluate environmental impact.

Click here to view the full list of fall 2016 UConn IDEA Grant award recipients.

Special thanks to the faculty and staff that supported student applications to the UConn IDEA Grant and to those who will be mentoring the award recipients as they complete their projects. We would also like to thank the faculty and staff from around the University who served as reviewers.

The UConn IDEA Grant program awards funding to support self-designed projects including artistic endeavors, community service initiatives, traditional research projects, entrepreneurial ventures, and other creative and innovative projects. Undergraduates in all majors at all UConn campuses can apply. Applications are accepted twice per year from individuals and from small groups who plan to work collaboratively on a project. The next application deadline is March 13, 2017.

• Congratulations, Spring 2016 UConn IDEA Grant Recipients!

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idea_logo_standard_color_bottomWEB_cropCongratulations to the thirty-five UConn undergraduates who have been awarded UConn IDEA Grants in the spring 2016 funding cycle!

Twenty-two of the award recipients will be completing individual projects, and thirteen will be working on collaborative group projects. The award recipients represent a variety of disciplines, from printmaking to biomedical engineering, horticulture to political science. They will work on launching new ventures; developing art exhibitions, puppet shows, YouTube series, and television pilots; and collaborating with community organizations.

Click here to view the full list of spring 2016 UConn IDEA Grant award recipients.

Special thanks to the faculty and staff that supported student applications to the UConn IDEA Grant and to those who will be mentoring the award recipients as they complete their projects. We would also like to thank the faculty and staff from around the University who served as reviewers.

The UConn IDEA Grant program awards funding to support self-designed projects including artistic endeavors, community service initiatives, traditional research projects, entrepreneurial ventures, and other creative and innovative projects. Undergraduates in all majors at all UConn campuses can apply. Applications are accepted twice per year from individuals and from small groups who plan to work collaboratively on a project. The next application deadline is in December 2016.

• Congratulations, Fall 2015 UConn IDEA Grant Recipients!

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idea_logo_standard_color_bottomWEB_cropCongratulations to the nineteen UConn undergraduates who have been awarded UConn IDEA Grants in the fall 2015 funding cycle!

Fifteen of the award recipients will be completing individual projects, and four will be working on collaborative group projects. The award recipients represent a variety of disciplines, from Ecology and Evolutionary Biology to Sports Management, Nursing to Graphic Design.

Click here to view the full list of fall 2015 UConn IDEA Grant award recipients.

Special thanks to the faculty and staff that supported student applications to the UConn IDEA Grant and to those who will be mentoring the award recipients as they complete their projects. We would also like to thank the faculty and staff from around the University who served as reviewers.

The UConn IDEA Grant program awards funding to support self-designed projects including artistic endeavors, community service initiatives, traditional research projects, entrepreneurial ventures, and other creative and innovative projects. Undergraduates in all majors at all UConn campuses can apply. Applications are accepted twice per year from individuals and from small groups who plan to work collaboratively on a project. The next application deadline is Monday, March 14, 2016.

• Congratulations, Spring 2015 UConn IDEA Grant Recipients!

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idea_logo_standard_color_bottomWEB_cropCongratulations to the thirty-seven UConn undergraduates who have been awarded UConn IDEA Grants in the spring 2015 funding cycle!

Twenty-five of the award recipients will be completing individual projects, and twelve will be working on collaborative group projects. The award recipients represent a variety of disciplines, from music education to civil engineering, environmental science to molecular and cell biology, and campus affiliations, including one recipient from the Stamford campus.

Click here to view the full list of spring 2015 UConn IDEA Grant award recipients.

Special thanks to the faculty and staff that supported student applications to the UConn IDEA Grant and to those who will be mentoring the award recipients as they complete their projects. We would also like to thank the faculty and staff from around the University who served as reviewers.

The UConn IDEA Grant program awards funding to support self-designed projects including artistic endeavors, community service initiatives, traditional research projects, entrepreneurial ventures, and other creative and innovative projects. Undergraduates in all majors at all UConn campuses can apply. Applications are accepted twice per year from individuals and from small groups who plan to work collaboratively on a project. The next application deadline will be in December 2015.

• Congratulations, Spring 2014 UConn IDEA Grant Award Recipients!

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Congratulations to the twenty UConn undergraduates who have been awarded UConn IDEA Grants! idea_logo_standard_color_bottomWEB

Fourteen of the twenty award recipients will be completing individual projects, and the remaining six will be working on collaborative group projects.

Click here to learn more about the UConn IDEA Grant recipients and their projects.

Special thanks to the faculty and staff that supported student applications to the UConn IDEA Grant and to those who will be mentoring the award recipients as they complete their projects.

The UConn IDEA Grant program awards undergraduates funding to support self-designed projects including artistic endeavors, community service initiatives, traditional research projects, entrepreneurial ventures, and other innovative projects. Proposals for the UConn IDEA Grant represented a variety of disciplines, ranging from fine arts to marine sciences. The program is open to undergraduates in all majors at all campuses.

• Join us for the screening of two student documentaries!

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Please join us for a screening of two original documentaries directed by UConn IDEA Grant Recipients Peter Logue and David Pereira. A discussion with the filmmakers will follow the screenings.

Documentaries:
The Search for the White Rose – a film by Peter Logue – View the film trailer

Free Time – a film by David Pereira and RJ Anderson

Date: Friday, April 11th
Time: 7:00PM
Location: Laurel 101

Click here for more information on the documentaries.