Research on diets high in fat and sugar, the effects of early-season and late-season grazing in the Flint Hills, and why computation thinking is important at the elementary level are the focus of some of the winning research presentations by Kansas State University graduate students who were selected to represent the university at the 14th Capitol Graduate Research Summit, Feb. 28, 2017, at the State Capitol in Topeka.
Ten students were chosen to present their work in Topeka based on their research presentations at Research and the State Nov. 2, in the K-State Student Union.
Research and the State involved 48 participants from four colleges and 20 departments. The event was sponsored by the Graduate Student Council, the Graduate School, the Office of the President and the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President. Each winner received a $250 award.
“The winners of Research and the State showcase the outstanding research being conducted at K-State and will communicate the value of their research to the state legislators when they present at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit in February,” said Carol Shanklin, dean of the Graduate School. “This event is one of the many opportunities that the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Council collaborate to enhance our students’ ability to communicate their research to the public.”
At the Capitol Graduate Research Summit, the 10 students will have the opportunity to present and showcase their research in front of the Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas legislators. The annual statewide summit for Kansas legislators features current research of graduate students at Kansas State University, the University of Kansas, the University of Kansas Medical Center, Wichita State University, Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University and Pittsburg State University. A university professor and an industry representative will judge the poster and student presentations. The top presenter from each university will be awarded a $500 award.
Area Kansas State University graduate student selected to present at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit is Josh Weese, doctoral student in computer science, Macksville, for “Bringing computational thinking to K-12.” His faculty advisor is William Hsu, associate professor in computer sciences.