What is the symposium?

• The Stark State Student Symposium is a half-day event that highlights the academic excellence of students from Stark State College and local community high schools.
• Local industry partners will be invited to attend and act as judges
• Four-year institutions will also be invited to attend in order to showcase transferability
• Students are invited to present their work (alone or in groups) from the current academic year (Summer 2022 – Spring 2023). Presenters will have the opportunity to win awards and prizes.

What criteria are required for participating in the symposium?

• All Stark State College, College Credit Plus, and local high school students are eligible to submit an application to present. Students enrolled in the Honors program are required to present at least once, as part of the program requirements.
• All students wishing to participate must submit an application that includes an abstract providing an overview of what they would like to present.
• The Honors Program Committee will review the applications and abstracts and will approve projects for participation.

• • Applications and abstracts must be written with regard for standard English
  • Incomplete applications will not be accepted
  • Late applications will not be considered

What can a student present at the Symposium?

• • Capstone Project – a program specific course that requires at least one semester of research or project/product development.  Typically includes either a written report or a presentations at the end of the semester.
  • Debate – a formalized argument on a particular topic where two or more participants provide opposing arguments.
  • Demonstration – a non-hazardous presentation of a skill, technique, or application.
  • Essay – a formal paper and/or presentation of original and/or argument on a topic of intellectual merit.
  • Panel discussion – a public exchange of ideas that allows audience members the opportunity to join in the discussion of a particular topic.
  • Performance – music, voice, or acting.
  • Poster – a wall-fold or tri-fold poster demonstrating the student’s project or work, usually a mixture of a brief text mixed with tables, graphs, pictures, and other presentation formats. Poster presenters are expected to stand by the poster display and explain their work while attendees and judges view the poster and ask questions throughout the allotted time frame.
  • Research Project – usually included in a course or completed as part of research experience for undergraduate program.
  • Speech – a chosen topic researched by student independently and presented orally to audience.

When are applications accepted?

• The online application and submission will be available by end of October.
• Online submission will close Friday, February 24, 2023.

What will be the format for the symposium?

• The symposium will consist of opening remarks, three presentation sessions, lunch, keynote speaker(s), awards presentation, and closing remarks.
• Students will present by means of a poster, oral presentation, demonstration, performance, panel discussion, or debate.  Standard presentations will be limited to 20 minutes.  Some demonstrations, performances, panel discussions, and debates may require additional time, if requested. Students should leave time for questions at the end of their presentations.
• Lunch will be provided for all presenters and attendees.