UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — With a record number of students registered to present their work at the Undergraduate Exhibition later this month, more judges are needed to lend their academic expertise.

Alan Rieck, assistant vice president and associate dean for Undergraduate Education, said his office processed 339 poster presentations this year for the April 18 exhibition, up from 230 in 2017. Ideally, he said, every presentation is evaluated by two separate judges, and judges will rate only three or four presentations.

Rieck said that for judges it’s an opportunity to gather new ideas and perspective, while at the same time helping students on their academic paths.

“It’s a way to help facilitate others’ work and help them fulfill their passions,” Rieck said. “There is a camaraderie among judges. It’s an opportunity to celebrate students who are contributing to their fields while rubbing shoulders with people from different disciplines.”

Tanya Furman, professor of geosciences, said judges provide connections for students that will help them as they progress in their careers.

“Being a judge at the Undergraduate Exhibition is a great opportunity to feel humbled by the excellence of Penn State undergraduates, and at the same time to help them with constructive feedback on their oral and visual presentation skills,” she said.

“Students who are in the throes of completing a challenging project are at a key stage of apprenticeship in their fields, and the conversations around judging are really moments to connect and welcome them to the next phase of that career trajectory. Judging opens that door, and it also helps to connect faculty members with research taking place across the institution, reminding us of the joy of curiosity and exploration.”

Anyone wishing to serve as a judge can register here. The exhibition is slated for April 18, with two overlapping judging sessions from 5 to 7 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.

The Research Opportunities for Undergraduates program is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education, the academic administrative unit that provides leadership and coordination for University-wide programs and initiatives in support of undergraduate teaching and learning at Penn State. Learn more about Undergraduate Education at undergrad.psu.edu.