Student Research and Creativity Exposition (OSCAR Expo)

Student Research and Creativity Exposition

Mark Your Calendars for Thursday, May 1, 2025

The 2025 Annual Student Research and Creativity Exposition will take place on Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 11:30 to 6:30pm in the Williams Center. The Annual Student Research and Creativity Exposition (affectionately known as the OSCAR Expo) is an event held each Spring to celebrate the research and creative activity of undergraduate and graduate students from all academic disciplines. Formats for presentations include FREDx talks, oral presentations, poster presentations, a film fest featuring multimedia presentations, literary readings, and short performances and extended performances (e.g., music, theatre).

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION TODAY: DEADLINE extended to APRIL 11, 2025

The submission portal is OPEN! Click here for more information.

Keynote Speaker

The keynote speaker for the 2025 OSCAR Expo will be Dr. Roger Firestien. The keynote speech begins at 12pm and will be followed by a workshop with Roger from 1-2pm. Registration is required for the keynote speech and the workshop.

With 40 years as a university professor teaching Creative Problem-Solving, an innovation consultant with presentations to more than 600 organizations, a Breakthrough Lab facilitator, an executive producer of online innovation programs, an author of more than 100 articles and seven books on creativity and innovation, Roger’s work has been used in all aspects of life.
Dr. Roger Firestien has presented programs on innovation to over 600 organizations around the world including fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, universities, associations, and churches.
Roger has written seven books and hundreds of articles on the creative process.
Dr. Firestien is Association Professor Emeritus at the Center for Applied Imagine at Buffalo State University, President of Innovation Resources Inc., a founding member of the Buffalo Society for Creativity in Medical Education, and guest lecturer at the Jacobs School of Medicines and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.
Watch video of the TEDx Talk Roger gave in Omaha.

General Schedule for the Expo (detailed schedule and program to come):

11:30-11:50 - Open Remarks (Blue Lounge, Williams Center)
12:00-12:45 - Keynote with Roger Firestien (Pre-registration required at this link)
1:00-2:00 - Workshop about Creative Problem Solving with Roger Firestien (Pre-registration required at this link)
2:15-2:45 - Session #1 (Presentations, FREDx Talks, Film Fest, Art Exhibits, Posters/Displays, Performances)
3:00-3:30 - Session #2 (Presentations, FREDx Talks, Film Fest, Art Exhibits, Posters/Displays, Performances)
3:45-4:15 - Session #3 (Presentations, FREDx Talks, Film Fest, Art Exhibits, Posters/Displays, Performances)
4:30-5:00 - Session #4 (Presentations, FREDx Talks, Film Fest, Art Exhibits, Posters/Displays, Performances)
5:15-5:45 - Session #5 (Presentations, FREDx Talks, Film Fest, Art Exhibits, Posters/Displays, Performances)
5:50 - Closing Remarks and Final Performance

Information to prepare for your application (deadline April 2, 2025):

Brief abstract (description) of your project: 150 words maximum
Scholarly/Academic projects: Identify the central research question, objective, or thesis of the project. Summarize the methodology and/or findings of the research or project. State conclusions, significance, and/or current state of the project
Creative Works: Describe the work. Explain what motivated or inspired the work and what the audience is expected to experience when they view the work.
Deadline to submit application is April 2, 2025

Formats at the 2025 OSCAR Expo (click on each format to read more details):

Share work related to courses, to independent studies, and more!

Music
Drama
Spoken word poetry or literary readings
Dance
Research
Creative projects
Demonstrations of creative or scholarly processes
Applied-learning experiences
Service-learning experiences
Internships
Study abroad experiences
Film, animation, podcasts, and other multimedia
Visual and performance art including sculpture, ceramics, drawing, painting, illustration, photography

Click here to submit your proposal to present at the 2025 OSCAR Expo!

2024 Student Research and Creativity Exposition

The 2024 OSCAR Expo featured over 100 sessions (oral presentations, performances, and poster presentations), 5 panel discussions, and 1 keynote speech. Pictures featuring the presenters, posters, and attendees are below!

Click this link to access the live program for the schedule and to read abstracts about the sessions.

Pictures from the 2024 OSCAR Expo

2023 Student Research and Creativity Exposition

On May 4th, 2023, approximately 100 students (representing 25 different majors) participated in the OSCAR Expo by sharing their posters and presentations regarding their research and creativity. Activities included 15 performances/presentations and 61 posters. Overall, 43 different faculty members were identified as mentors for students' projects (many faculty were identified as mentors for multiple projects).

Across four hours, more than 160 participants visited the researchers/artists at their poster presentations and attended oral presentations and musical performances in the Multipurpose Room and adjacent areas. Presentations were scheduled at specific times to maximize interactions and discussions about the projects and research studies.

Opening remarks were shared by Erin Mroczka (interim director of OSCAR) and Provost David Starrett. In addition, the recipients of the 5th Annual Donald Nasca Undergraduate Student Research Award were announced. The students and their projects are Zainab Ahmed, “Induction of Mitotic Defects via Estrogen-Linked Signaling;” Aiden Carney, “Recruitment of Beginning Band Students: Teachers’ Experience and Use of Technology;” Amanda Roth, “Identification of Bacteria in Drinking Water in Honduras;” and Savannah Steves, “The Archaeology of Climate Change: OSL Dating of Loess Sediments at the McKendry Archaeology Site.” All four students will present the results of their research at the 2024 OSCAR Expo.