Independent Academic Research Celebrated during Benedictine’s 30th Discovery Day
Independent student research projects on subjects outside the classroom were featured in presentations throughout the day on April 15 during Benedictine College’s 30th Discovery Day, a day of learning focused on student projects that have been researched outside of the classroom. The college in Atchison, Kansas, hosted 83 academic presentations, the result of the collaborative work of 144 students, 56 faculty members, and 19 academic departments.
“Original research fosters and strengthens the curiosity and love of learning that are the foundation of a liberal arts education,” said Dr. Kimberly Shankman, Provost and Dean of the College, in reference to the benefits of Discovery Day and the associated projects. “Collaborative work develops the bonds of community among students and faculty that make Benedictine such a special place.”
Each year, Benedictine College cancels its classes and meetings to allow students, faculty and staff to attend Discovery Day, More than 3,700 students have participated in Benedictine’s Discovery Day since its inception in 1996. In that time, most faculty members and academic departments have taken an active role in sponsoring student projects.
Since they are based on individual interests, research projects are far-ranging and cover all areas of the academic spectrum like art, engineering, psychology, biology, history, music and more. Some studies are very scientific and intense, like studying solar collectors, while others are simply exploring things of interest, like making picture frames, and still others are project oriented, like building a medieval trebuchet. Some projects even result in musical performances of new compositions or new theatrical productions. A full list of projects and abstracts is available here.
The day also includes a mini battle-bot tournament called a Sumo Bot Competition where small, programmed robots work to push one another out of a circle. The miniature competitors come with names like Winter Storm, Bob the Bot, Warthog, Mildred, Rocky, and Popsicle Stick. This year, the tournament was won by the freshman team of James Fisher and Ryan Williams with their robot, Shaniqua.
A focal point of the day is the keynote address, this year by Lexi Chirakos, PhD., Policy and Data Management Specialist at the Health Policy Institute of Ohio (HPIO). Her presentation was on “The Courage to Be Wrong: A Scientist’s Journey of Discovery Through Questions, Failure, and Faith.”
During the presentation, Chirakos highlighted her work in health policy in Ohio, but also spoke about her journey through college, grad school and career, focusing on the “mistakes” she made as she was discerning her interests and goals. She spoke of her dissatisfaction with material success and how she found purpose through the Catholic faith. She recounted her transformational journey of self-discovery and emphasized the importance of truth, prayer, and an ongoing conversation with God.
“Somewhere along the way, I found something that I had been looking for my whole life,” she said. “I found real contentment and rest. Sacrifices were made, certainly. Trials and pain and suffering are no strangers, but I wouldn’t trade it (her conversion to Catholicism) for anything.”
Chirakos views God as being in the present, not the past or even the future.
“Just do the next right thing and one step at a time, you will build a career, and you’ll discover your vocation,” she said. “It is a discovery process. It’s a mystery with a capital M. It will unfold like an experiment with one piece of data after another, until this beautiful picture of reality becomes clear.”
Founded in 1858, Benedictine College is a Catholic, Benedictine, residential, liberal arts college located on the bluffs above the Missouri River in Atchison, Kansas. The school is honored to have been named one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report as well as one of the top Catholic colleges in the nation by First Things magazine and the Newman Guide. It prides itself on outstanding academics, extraordinary faith life, strong athletic programs, and an exceptional sense of community and belonging. Benedictine strives to transform culture through its a mission to educate men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.
