Annual Penn State Mont Alto Academic Festival: April 24, 2020

Like a Science Fair, but for ALL Topics!

The Academic Festival is an opportunity for students to share their best and most interesting work.

This exciting event displays academic highlights that were researched, developed, and created throughout the 2019-2020 school year to the campus community, Penn State families, and the public. You can submit your proposal online.

Tentative Schedule of Events

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Students may drop off exhibits / posters / displays, MAC Gym
12:00 p.m. Opening Remarks, MAC Gym
12:20 p.m. Official start (judging begins) – MAC Gym
12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Oral Presentations – MAC122
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Art Show Reception (may stop by anytime to view displays)
3:45 p.m. Awards Ceremony and Feature Performances – GS Auditorium

(Exact times will be updated here as information becomes available; please check back closer to event date for schedule changes.)

Participation

The final deadline for submitting project proposals is March 20. Project proposals will be reviewed in late March and students will receive further details in early April. Individual and group projects can cover a wide range of topics and can be shared as an informational exhibit, a research-based poster, an oral presentation, or performance. The organizing committee also welcomes all other forms of academic or creative accomplishments including works of poetry, writing, artwork, and dance.

**Before submitting your proposal, please be sure to review all project guidelines and judging criteria. Prizes will be awarded in each category. Additional awards will be presented for Artwork, Library Literacy, and Sustainability (see Special Awards below for more details).

Reasons to Participate

Share your work with the campus and surrounding community
Have fun while gaining valuable experience
Develop connections with faculty and staff
Contribute to your professional development; Enhance your resume for employment and/or graduate school

Guidelines and Judging Criteria

The Academic Festival provides four project categories for you to submit and display your work. Click on each category below to learn about the recommendations, guidelines, and suggestions for submitting projects. Prizes will be awarded in each category.

Special Awards

Art: Students are encouraged to demonstrate their creativity by submitting original pieces of art for consideration to receive one of the art awards. Those submitting artwork should ensure the piece is ready to hang and submit to Art Professor Freya Qually no later than April 14. For more information, contact Freya.
Library Literacy: An Information Literacy Award will be presented by the PSU Mont Alto Library. More information about the Information Literacy Award is available online. Research posters will be considered for this award and will be evaluated by members of the Library staff to determine recipients for this year’s award.
Sustainability: In the online proposal form, students will be asked to consider their project to determine which one of the 17 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals most closely matches their proposal. The Sustainability Committee will review proposals and determine recipients to receive this year’s award.

Undergraduate Research

The Academic Festival began in 2006. The Penn State Mont Alto Academic Festival Proceedings contain photographs and details of projects presented by previous students. There are also opportunities to present your research at University Park!

Photos from the most recent Academic Festival

Previous years

Undergraduate Research Exhibition

Academic Festival Committee Members

The Academic Festival is made possible thanks to the generous support from the following:

Owl's Club of Waynesboro
Penn State Mont Alto Alumni Society
Penn State Mont Alto Student Activity Fee