The Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities’ annual Undergraduate Research Symposium, “Sustainable Urban Communities, Redux,” will take place Thursday, March 8. The event will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Coeur de Catherine at St. Catherine University.
Panels of ACTC student presentations that focus on a broad range of sustainability topics will be featured, including the psychology of sustainable behaviors, civic engagement as action research, education quality and experience in Minnesota, access to resources and sustainable business practices.
The afternoon includes three sessions composed of student panels. Five St. Thomas students are among the presenters, and two faculty members will moderate panels:
- Panel on “Social Sway I: Influencing Individuals’ Actions” (moderated by Dr. Elise Amel, Psychology) – Margaret Jaehne, “Implementing Small-Scale Energy Savings: A Case Study in Two Restaurant Settings.”
- Panel on “Designing Urban Lives” (moderated by Dr. Paul Lorah, Geography) – Chia Lee, “Healthcare Accessibility in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Hmong Community.”
- Panel on “Degrees of Impact: Local Change in a Global World” – Bridgette Kelly, “Conservation Psychology in Germany.”
- Panel on “Learning in the Cities” – Mai-Eng Lee “A Qualitative Analysis of Teachers’ Perception Toward Hmong American Students’ Academic Achievement in Minnesota.”
- Panel on “Urban Edibles: Connecting Food and Place” – Matt Scott, “Lead Levels in Minneapolis Community Gardens.
An hors d’oeuvre reception and sustainability fair will be held at 5 p.m. following the presentations. The fair will feature local foods and sustainability organizations; programs and initiatives include: Mississippi Market, Nice Ride, the sustainability programs of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Hourcar, Grand Aspirations and the Met Council. Those who can’t make it to the afternoon of presentations are welcome to stop by for the reception.
For more information and to register (free), visit the Undergraduate Research Symposium website. The conference's program can be viewed here. For more information call Stephanie Zimmerman, (651) 556-1863.
