Conducting research under the direction of a faculty member is a rewarding experience and a valuable component of undergraduate education. Many students receive credit for research as part of an independent study course, and students may be eligible to apply for Undergraduate Research Stipends.
Students interested in exploring research opportunities should talk to a faculty member in their area of interest.
2022 Research and Student Engagement Expo
Research and Student Engagement Expo
Students will present posters documenting their original research, accomplished under the supervision of faculty mentors. Come hear about their work and meet with local employers, who will have information tables set up as well.
In 2020 and 2021, the Research Expo went online due to COVID. This year the Expo will be in person, but will have an accompanying website where you can view the posters.
View the 2021 Research and Student Engagement Expo.
More than 50 Penn State New Kensington students presented their research and projects at the 17th Annual Research and Creative Exposition held at the campus on April 9, 2019. Research topics included such subjects as automation, mammography, mental health, polymers, information recall and biomedical engineering technology. Each student or student team was mentored by faculty advisers, who offered guidance throughout the process. Eight students also were awarded with an Undergraduate Research Award: Excellence in Information Literacy prize. In conjunction with the expo, the 11th Annual Career Connections Day gave students the opportunity to meet with nearly 20 regional organizations who were able to provide networking, internship and job-related information and opportunities. A full photo gallery of the event can be found at www.facebook.com/pennstatenewkensington.
Kevin Litzinger, a mechanical engineering major at Penn State New Kensington, explains his research project to Jennifer Gilley, librarian at the campus, during the 2019 Research and Creative Exposition on April 9. Litzinger's project, "Determination of Glass Transition Temperature of Various Polymers," was also awarded an Excellence in Information Literacy prize from the University Libraries.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Kaylea Flick, a biobehavioral health student at Penn State New Kensington, smiles as she stands next to her poster presentation at the campus' 2019 Research and Creative Exposition. Flick was mentored by Penelope Morrison, assistant professor of biobehavioral health, for her project.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Nick Roth, Justin Dumm and Tyler Kline, left to right, prepare their autonomous wheelchair prototype for the 2019 Research and Creative Exposition at Penn State New Kensington. The three electro-mechanical engineering technology (EMET) students were mentored by Joseph Cuiffi, program coordinator and instructor of EMET.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Krystin Racki, a business student at Penn State New Kensington, speaks to two research judges at the 2019 Research and Creative Exposition at the campus. The event, held on April 9, featured more than 50 undergraduate research projects.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Sairam Tanuboddi, a business student at Penn State New Kensington, talks about his research project at the campus' 2019 Research and Creative Exposition. Tanuboddi's project was titled, ""Is Time Travel Possible? It's Complicated," and he was mentored by Megan Bardolph, assistant professor of English.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Makayla Rae Shank, left, a student at Penn State New Kensington, shakes hands with Jennifer Gilley, head librarian at the campus, as she accepts a University Libraries Information Literacy Award at the 2019 Research and Creative Exposition. Shank's project, "Information Recall Following an Online and Traditional Lecture," was one of eight award recipients at the expo.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Logan Villella, right, an information sciences and technology student at Penn State New Kensington, explains her research project to Nick Petrucci, instructor in electro-mechanical engineering technology, at the 2019 Research and Creative Exposition at the campus.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Hailey Dickun, left, a student at Penn State New Kensington, speaks with Kendra Kitko, counselor at the campus, during the 2019 Research and Creative Exposition. Dickun was one of more than 50 students presenting research and one of just eight students awarded with a University Library Information Literacy Award at the annual event.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Students, faculty, staff and industry leaders filled the Penn State New Kensington Conference Center before the 2019 Research and Creative Exposition for the second annual Pizza with Professionals event. The casual luncheon, organized by Jim Shields, associate director for career services at the campus, aimed to help students with strengthening their networking skills while also learning business leaders in their respective fields.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Erika Finn, a business student at Penn State New Kensington, takes part in the second annual Pizza with Professionals networking event before the 2019 Research and Creative Exposition at the campus. The luncheon provided students with the opportunity to enjoy a casual lunch while meeting with business and industry representatives in their respective fields.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
Eric Green, left, an electro-mechanical engineering technology student at Penn State New Kensington, listens to a representative from Siemens at the second annual Pizza with Professionals networking event before the 2019 Research and Creative Exposition. The luncheon gave students the opportunity to speak with business representatives in their respective fields.
Image: Rebecca Dietrich
