Academic conference showcases students' projects, determination
Emily Mackell
Issue date: 4/30/04 Section: News
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The conference began on Apr. 22 with a lecture from Fenwick Scholar and psychology major Shayne Piasta '05 entitled "Influences on Reading Instruction in Massachusetts Public Schools: Research, Policy and Teacher Knowledge." Piasta's idea for her research stemmed from her experience in tutoring children with dyslexia. She decided to take a more general approach by making reading her focus.
Following the lecture there was a reception in the Hogan Main Lounge as well as a Poster Session in the Ballroom, events open to the entire Holy Cross community. During the session students could peruse the different projects that would be presented throughout the conference.
About 250 Holy Cross students from an assortment of majors presented their projects, the result of independent work over the course of two semesters. The conference included efforts from the social sciences, natural sciences, and the arts, as well as many other disciplines. On Friday, students from a section of the Anthropology department presented their projects including "Flesh Colored Painted Canvas: An Analysis of the Tattoo Culture" by Kathleen Godek 04.
According to Piasta, "Not only does it provide a great experience in terms of presentation and public speaking skills, but the Academic Conference also acts as the culminating event for the projects students have labored over for a year."
Noting that the students involved had spent months on end working on their projects in isolation, she also explained that the conference was a great way to be able to share the experience with faculty and other students.
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