Springfield Technical Community College put a spotlight on student projects during a fair that drew between 350-400 people on Nov. 28 who filled up the auditorium and gym at Scibelli Hall.
The event opened in the auditorium with welcoming remarks from STCC President John B. Cook and a panel discussion on renewable energy featuring four professors from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
The fair highlighted students’ academic rigor and creative innovation. They displayed models created in class and research posters covering a variety of topics, including health and the environment. Student work displayed in the gym included artwork, architecture projects, videography, mobile apps, animation and more.
Biology Professor Reena Randhir said students think at a higher level when working on their projects.
“I love maker space activity in my classes since students enjoy it and it offers a fun active learning environment that brings out their creativity,” she said. “On the other hand, creating a research poster develops their scientific thinking skills by requiring them to present their research findings in a visually engaging format for effective communication.”
This initiative was designed to enhance inclusivity, cultural relevance and equity in education while fostering closer faculty partnerships. UMass, Holyoke Community College and STCC students participated. Several parents and family came, Central and Springfield Conservatory of Arts were in attendance.
STCC student Francisco Rosario, who is studying health science, won a prize for his project. He presented a poster on epilepsy.
“Some students came in from high schools, which was a good learning experience for them to see our posters and the research we are doing in college since they are going to be going to college in the next few years,” Rosario said. “I enjoyed seeing the professors from UMass and around the area who kindly judged all our posters and talked to us about renewable energy. That’s an important topic because renewable energy will be needed in the future.”
