Florida State College Biomed Students Present Research at HAPS Conference

Plenty of doctors, educators and publishers attended the 2012 Regional Conference of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS). There were also a number of students from Florida State College, representing the Biomed Pre-Professional Society--students enrolled in the College's Biomed Bachelor's Degree program. The unique presentation attained that distinction by being the first time students had ever presented at the HAPS regional conference.

The students came up with the subject of their study--STEM: Student Perspectives on Teaching and Learning--largely because the students in the program represent such diverse backgrounds. Not a surprise, considering Florida State College is a former comunity college and is still a commuter college. A sample of nearly 300 students completed an assessment questioning their study habits and beliefs about teaching and learning. With a rapid turn-around, the three presenters, Shaqurria Henry,  Amy Robinson and Jay Velez, and their mentors, Dr. Lourdes Norman, Dr. Patricia Cipriano and Dr. Kimberly Conner, compiled and analyzed the results, prepared a video sample of student interviews and put together an hour-long presentation for the conference held March 2-3 at the College's Deerwood Center.

"This is an opportunity that not a lot of students get; to present at a regional conference in front of professionals, especially at the undergraduate level," as Dr. Norman said regarding the students' presentation. "They blew it out of the water; they did a great job."

Conference attendees were impressed with the students' presentation, from their authentic delivery to the information their student learning assessment revealed: so much so that invitations were extended to the students to apply for presitgious internships. More on that  later--it's a process.

The student interviews presented at the conference, shot and edited by Kent Campus Mutimedia Specialist Chris Tomaski,  will soon be available for viewing on this site.

Final note: the definition of unique is being the only one. This was indeed the first time students had presented at the Regional HAPS Conference. When Shaqurria, Amy and Jay present at their next conference, with an advanced study of their original project, it won't be unique to them. Since it will be the first time students have presented at this conference, it will be unique to the attendees at the 23rd International Conference on College Teaching and Learning in April 2012!