Skip to main content
Division of Academic and Student Affairs 
Office of Undergraduate Research

NC State Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium

Spring
Symposium 2024

April 23- 24, 2024
Talley Student Union

Summer Symposium 2024

July 26 2024
DH Hill Jr Library

Sidewalk Symposium 2023

September 24, 2024
DH Hill Jr Library (Hillsborough Entrance)

*NC State hosts Spring and Summer Symposia. Students looking to complete an oral/poster presentation in the Fall should consider SNCURCS or a disciplinary conference.

2024 Spring Symposium

  • The 2024 Spring Symposium will be held April 23-24 in Talley Student Union
  • Schedule (a detailed abstract book will be posted in mid-April)
    • Tuesday, April 23
      • Oral Session 1 (O1), 10:00-10:45
      • Poster Session 1 (P1), 11:00-12:00
      • Oral Session 2 (O2), 12:30-1:15
      • Poster Session 2 (P2), 1:30-2:30
    • Wednesday, April 24
      • Poster Session 3 (P3), 10:00-11:00
      • Oral Session 3 (O3), 11:15-12:15
      • Oral Session 4 (O4), 12:30-1:15
      • Poster Session 4 (P4), 1:30-2:30
      • Poster Session 5 (P5), 2:45-3:45
  • Thank you to our Symposium volunteers!
  • Visitors are welcome!
    • Whether you’re a presenter, a peer, a mentor, a family member, a friend, a staff/faculty member, or just curious, please stop by!
    • We encourage students to attend multiple sessions/stay the full day
    • Students from all disciplines completing research or creative endeavors have submitted. Check out the variety of projects and possibilities!

  • Students should check in at the check-in table in front of the ballroom no later than 15 minutes before their assigned session. Students will not be able to check in earlier (e.g., if you are in an afternoon session, you can’t check in in the morning). All are welcome(!) to attend Symposium at any time, but students will need to check in as a presenter before your assigned session (check in and receive a nametag). 
  • Presenters are expected to stay for the full duration of their session. Posters – present and stay with the poster during the assigned hour. Oral/Exhibit – present and stay to hear the other presenters assigned in the room for the hour. Conference etiquette dictates that you attend other presentations and support fellow presenters.
  • Poster presenters only need to bring their posters. The OUR will provide boards, stands, and tacks.
  • Oral presenters should bring their own devices (Talley has all necessary adapters). Devices will be available for those who may need one.
  • Review and maintain communication with the OUR!
  • Presenters should wear business casual attire. We understand, especially on Tuesday, that students will have other things to do; dress nicely, but be comfortable. Nice slacks and a shirt are a classic (no need for suits, unless you just want to wear one). Questions about attire – reach out to the OUR.
  • All visitors are welcome! Peers, mentors, family, other folks – invite them all! In addition to the NCSU community, there will be business and campus partners tabling (like a mini-career fair). Make sure to chat with these partners in addition to supporting your peers. We encourage you to attend sessions other than your own session throughout the two days.
  • Submissions and mentor approvals will be accepted from February 21 – March 25 at 11:59pm. We are unable to accept late submissions.
    • InfoReady – Submit Here
    • You are submitting that you would like to present, including your project title and abstract. You do NOT need to submit a poster or PPT.
  • Submit a research or creative project that is complete, in progress, a section of the bigger project, etc.
  • Review more of what is needed under “Description” on the InfoReady site. Students will answer questions about their submission and provide their (mentor-approved) project title and (mentor-approved) abstract.
  • All submissions MUST have a mentor associated with them and the mentor will need to approve the submission. Work with your mentor BEFORE submitting. Only submit when the final draft is ready.
    • If a submission requires updates, speak with your mentor OR wait for an email from the OUR about the specifics. Send updates to Dr. Showalter (ceshowal@ncsu.edu). Update requests should only be related to what mentors have indicated needs changed or name/contact information updates.
  • Submissions close on March 25; students will hear from the OUR roughly two weeks after this date. Watch for emails from the OUR!
  • Due to the Spring Wellness Day and subsequent loss of a reading day, Symposium will be held on the final day of classes (April 23) and the reading day (April 24). While we will not schedule a student to present during their class (unless Symposium is part of class assignments), some students will need to present on April 23 outside of class times.
  • Reach out to the OUR with any questions!
  • 2023 Abstract Book
    • Find more abstract books and project examples here.
  • Symposium does not count as a professional development requirement for OUR-funded students.
  • Oral Presentations
    • 12 minute presentation & 3 minute Q&A
    • Students will be assigned a presentation within a session with other presenters and are expected to stay for the full session (do NOT present and leave)
    • Follow NCSU Branding rules in your PPT design
  • Exhibits, performances, or creative works
    • 20-minute OR 60-minute slots (students will choose in the submission form)
    • Students will be expected to stay for the duration of the session (sessions are 60 minutes, multiple presenters may be in a session together)
    • Follow NCSU Branding rules for templated mediums
  • Poster Presentations
    • 60-minute sessions
    • Students will be assigned an hour and present their poster (in a roughly 3-minute synopsis) to listeners stopping by during the hour
    • Students will present and answer questions
    • Follow NCSU Branding rules for your poster – use the 48×36 template (horizontal orientation; 36×48 is allowed, too)
    • How do I create and present a poster?
      • Less text, more visuals. No paragraphs of text – only bulleted essentials.
    • Poster printing will be paid for by the OUR. Students are encourage to submit by April 17 to avoid delays/overloading the printer. Students must use the OUR printing partner (printing elsewhere will be done at your own expense).
      • The OUR prints with CALS. Use the website to determine “print by” dates and get your poster done in time.
      • Students won’t be able to submit through the printer until the first week of April. Students will receive an email when they have been cleared to start submitting with the printer.
      • Students are responsible for submitting with the printer, picking up their poster, bringing it to Symposium at their assigned time, and taking it home/recycling it.
      • If you print somewhere else, printing will be done at your own expense.
  • Poster/presentation help sessions will be offered on
    • March 5, 4:00-5:00pm in Witherspoon Student Center 201
    • April 3, 12:00-1:00pm in Talley 3285
    • April 12, 10:00am-12:00pm in Withers 105
    • If attending, bring a draft! These sessions will be a time for you to practice and receive feedback.
  • Symposium will include tabling by businesses, organizations, campus partners, and other affiliates. Students are encouraged to stop by the Ballroom to learn more about research and internship opportunities from participating groups!
  • Students interacting with tablers will be eligible for prize drawings.

2024 Summer Symposium

  • Summer Symposium 2024 will be held on July 26, 2024 in DH Hill Jr Library.
  • Read about the 2023 Summer Symposium projects, mentors, and researchers in the 2023 ABSTRACT BOOK

Sidewalk Symposium – Fall 2024

The OUR seeks undergraduates of all majors who have been working on research, scholarly, and creative projects to participate by creating colorful visual presentations of their research using nothing but chalk.