eUreKa! Where Students Build the Foundations of Our Future
“Eureka” means “I have found it” in Greek, and that is exactly what undergraduate researchers are doing at UK. eUreKa! (Experiences in Undergraduate Research and Kreative Activities) is an affiliate of the Chellgren Center for Undergraduate Excellence. The purpose of eUreKa! is to provide exposure to and participation in various scholarly and research experiences. The eUreKa! office offers a wide variety of support programs open to students in all disciplines — an essential enhancement to every student’s educational experience.
eUreKa! offers many opportunities and programs to undergraduates, including the following:
The Undergraduate Research Program (UKURP) is an opportunity to experience creativity, innovation, and discovery from the moment students step on campus. Intended primarily (but not exclusively) for first- and second-year students, the UKURP program provides students the opportunity to work collaboratively with both faculty and peers.
The Beckman Scholars Program is a highly prestigious, invited program for accredited universities and four-year colleges in the U.S. The program provides scholarships to no more than three recipients in chemistry, biochemistry, or the biological and medical sciences each year, after a highly competitive selection process.
SPUR The Society for the Promotion of Undergraduate Research (SPUR) is a student organization that seeks to provide opportunities for undergraduates interested in research. It was created in 2004 by a group of students who wanted to encourage students in all academic programs to pursue undergraduate research by directing undergraduates to the right research opportunity and providing an array of academic resources to them.
Posters at the Capitol Now in its eighth year, this event is designed to celebrate the research, scholarly, and creative experience of undergraduate students at Kentucky’s public institutions. It provides students with the opportunity to present their projects to state legislators in Frankfort and to impress upon them the importance of faculty-mentored projects in the overall education of Kentucky students.
NCUR Each year, approximately 20 UK undergraduate researchers participate in the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) to promote undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity in all fields of study at an annual conference for students. NCUR creates a unique environment for the celebration and promotion of undergraduate student achievement, provides models of exemplary research and scholarship, and helps to improve the state of undergraduate education.
Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars The Showcase is an annual event held each spring, providing UK undergraduates from every discipline an opportunity to present their creations. Student artists, scientists, designers, authors, engineers, and nutritionists, as well as many other students in other specialties, come out to showcase their works to the entire campus community. This event is open to the public and high school students and faculty are highly encouraged to attend. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience what great things are happening in the world of undergraduate scholarly inquiry at UK. The 3rd Annual Showcase of Undergraduate Scholars is scheduled for April 29, 2009.
Kaleidoscope The UK Journal of Undergraduate Scholarship is a refereed journal published annually by the Office of Undergraduate Education. The journal is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through the publication of the results of the intellectual pursuits of undergraduate students
To learn more about eUreKa! or to see more of what is has to offer, visit http://www.uky.edu/EUREKA/.
eUreKa! Office
257-6420
115 Bowman Hall
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0059
