Shani Salifu recieved first place in Educational Studies.

ATHENS, Ohio (May 24, 2010)- Students from The Gladys W. and David L. Patton College of Education and Human Services (formerly College of Education) demonstrated their scholarly accomplishments on Thursday, May 13, at the ninth annual Student Research and Creative Activity Expo.  They were among the more than 600 students who presented their research and creative projects at the Expo. Seventeen projects from CEHS were showcased at the event.

Presentations were divided into 55 sessions depending on subject matter. The Patton College students competed in the Education and Educational Studies sections.

In the Education section, Blake Regan won first place for his presentation, titled “OGT Mathematics Test Scores Based Upon Complexity,” and Diana Pickett, Peter Brown and Laura Kay won second place for their presentation, titled “What Do Citizens Learn About Leadership in High School: An Exploratory Study.”

Pickett, a sophomore AYA Integrated Language Arts major, spoke highly of her experience at the expo.

“It is so fulfilling to take your work, throw it out there, and have people ask questions and engage with something that you've poured your heart into. In the face of events like the fests, it was gratifying to look around and think, ‘This is OU. These are our students-- this is what people care about,’" she said.

Laura Kay and Diana Pickett (pictured, L to R), along with team member Peter Brown, won second place in Education.

In Educational Studies section, Gina Dighero and Shani Salifu tied for first place. Dighero’s presentation, titled “Representing the Misunderstood: Asian Americans, Entrepreneurship and Nail Salons,” looked into the vast number of Asian Americans self-employed in the nail salon industry and the implications that has on the way the entrepreneurs are represented. Salifu’s presentation, titled “Detecting Satisficing in Online Surveys,” investigated the quality of responses from online surveys.

First place award winners received $300 and second place award winners received $100.

Many CEHS faculty members also took part in the Expo as judges. Others provided support to students as they developed, conducted, and made sense of their research.

Dr. Aimee Howley, senior associate dean for The Patton College, was one of the judges at the event. She spoke highly of the research presentations and emphasized the importance of students taking part in research to further their critical thinking and analytical skills.

"Education is all about inquiry--so it's absolutely fabulous to see our College of Education students engage in serious inquiry and present their work at the Expo,” Howley said. “My role as a judge of exhibits from other departments in the University allows me to see how our students' work compares. And their work compares very favorably indeed.”

Jenna Siska, an Ohio University student and one of the organizers of the event, was happily surprised by the diversity of projects that were showcased.

“Before I began planning the Student Expo, I had the impression that the event consisted of mostly science-related presentations,” said Siska. “Much to my surprise, I encountered a large scope of research areas,” she said.

Howley was impressed by the education students’ presentations and their connection with professional tools of research and analysis.

“Our students selected important issues, situated their research in the context of related literature and used appropriate methods to collect and analyze their data. They truly make me proud!" she said.

The Student Research and Creative Activity Expo is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research and the Dean of the Graduate College, Office of the President and Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost.

The 2011 Student Research and Creative Activity Expo will take place next spring.

Story by Ashley Showen; Photos by Julia Van Wagenen.