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UT Hosts Research Day for High School Sophomores and Juniors

Students examine a patient simulator in the HITS lab during Research Day Saturday, March 24, 2018.

UT hosted approximately 130 high school students and their parents Saturday, March 24, for a day-long research event. Research Day, co-hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, allowed these students to explore research and creative spaces in the areas of study they expressed an interest in.

Attendees took up to three separate tours during the day, which highlighted research areas and majors that they have shown interest in pursuing. They chose from 40 different sessions that included tours of laboratory spaces, studios, and classrooms. During these tours, students and parents had the opportunity to meet and speak with faculty and current students in that field.

Elizabeth Barker, assistant professor in mechanical, aerospace, and biomedical engineering at UT, introduces a room of prospective students and their parents to MABEline, a synthetic cadaver that allows students to learn human anatomy and design and test prosthetic devices.

“We are excited to offer this unique opportunity to Tennessee students,” said Marisa Moazen, executive director of undergraduate research and community engagement. “Our hope is that emphasizing the importance of engaging in research to students at this stage will increase participation when they enter college. Ultimately, that makes for more successful students down the line.”

This is the second collaborative event between undergraduate research and admissions for UT – focusing specifically on the research interests of students who are beginning to narrow choices for their future academic pursuits. The first was the Day at the Lab, an event held over the summer that gave prospective students an opportunity to meet current UT student interns at ORNL and learn about what types of research they perform.

CONTACT:

Erin Chapin (865-974-2187, echapin1@utk.edu)