LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University this weekend hosted the Florida Academy of Sciences (FAS) 2017 Annual Conference at the Innovation, Science and Technology Building. Faculty, post-doctoral research fellows, graduate and undergraduate students came together to exchange new scientific discoveries and recognize significant breakthroughs that are building the development and economy of Florida.
During the two-day conference, attendees from across the state of Florida shared their research.
“We have some of the most brilliant minds in science right here in our state,” said Dr. Jeremy Montague, Professor of Biology at Berry University in Miami Shores and Current President of Florida Academy of Sciences. “Our goal is to recognize their scientific achievements and celebrate their passion for science, especially in our student presenters at the Senior Academy on Friday and the younger participants in the Florida Junior Academy of Science on Saturday.”
The event featured student oral and poster presentations, booth displays from several sponsor companies and a banquet dinner with the 2016 FAS medalist as speaker, Dr. George A. Maul from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Florida Poly President Dr. Randy K. Avent delivered the Gale plenary address on “The Future of STEM Education and Research.”
“Florida Poly is preparing the next generation of leaders with the technical and critical-thinking skills to advance technology and engineering well into the future,” said Avent. “We guarantee our graduates are job-ready to build Florida’s economy. Events like this help us stay current and bring real-world knowledge to the classroom as experts share their work and findings with students.”
A school competition and award ceremony was also held under the banner of the Florida Junior Academy of Science, the student division of FAS. A combination of high and middle school students visited the IST building for their participation and presentation.
“This was such an exciting event, particularly for the students,” said Dr. Sesha Srinivasan, Assistant Professor of Physics at Florida Poly and FAS 2017 Conference Chair. “We aim to provide all students with the opportunity to network with their peers and professionals with common careers goals. It is the best way to help them reach breakthroughs in their research activities.”
Prior annual conferences were held at Saint Leo University and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where Florida Poly students received outstanding presentation awards and recognition.
“I am always amazed to see the kind of projects our students come up with,” said Dr. Kathryn Miller, Florida Poly Vice Provost, Academic Support Services and FAS 2017 Conference Co-Chair. “Through these gatherings and with the help of industry leaders, we can continue to fuel their interest in science, research and other high-tech fields.”
The Florida Academy of Sciences was founded in 1936 as a non-profit organization to promote scientific research and foster public and governmental understanding and appreciation of the sciences and the industries that apply them. The Florida affiliate of the American Association for the Advancement of Science represents all disciplines of sciences. To learn more, please visit www.floridaacademyofsciences.org/annual-meeting/.