Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Activity
The office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarly Activity (URSA) is UAF's resource for the development and promotion of experiential learning activities that engage undergraduate students to support UAF's goal to become a leading student-focused research university.
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Congratulations to the 2023 Research & Creative Activity Day Participants for the College of Liberal Arts!
Exploring Shifting Landscapes
Tehya McLeod
Mentor: Dr. Mary Beth Leigh
Exploring Shifting Landscapes follows work of UAF scientists and documents impacts of permafrost thaw and wildfire cycles thorough artwork.
The Relationship Between Art and Stress Reduction
Shaylise Sylvester
Mentor: Dr. Jen Peterson
This study aimed to address the questions: Is there a benefit to using ceramic clay,
which contains natural earth elements, compared to synthetic clay? Is there a correlation
between the medium used and the lowering of cortisol hormone levels after the process
of art-making? There were 36 university students who participated in this study. Participants
were asked to attend one 2-hour clay workshop to learn how to make a pinch pot. Participants
provided pretest and posttests during the clay workshop to assess stress levels before
and after working with clay. The pretests and posttests included saliva samples to
measure cortisol, heart rate, and a Perceived Stress Scale. Preliminary results indicate
that working with clay for 60 minutes significantly reduced stress but there is no
significant difference between the ceramic clay and the synthetic
clay.
Research & Creative Activity Day Archive
UAF Mural Projects
Mina Carroll
Mentor: Ronnie Houchin
Continuing with Massive Animation Collaboration
Naomi Green & Sarah Griffen-Lotz
Mentor: Miho Aoki
Finding Home
Sarah Manriquez
Mentor: Dr. Alex Hirsch
In vlog over the last several years, I have developed 3 separate bodies of work that all speak to different elements of homelessness in Alaska. These works have been exhibited and used to raise awareness and funds for local organizations who serve our homeless populations. The first part of the work is called “My Home in my Hands”. These intimate hand portraits showcase the most prized possessions that these people have kept despite losing so much else. The second part of the work is called “Genesis”. This part of the work explores the specific challenges that our homeless population face by chronicling one person's specific story. The third part of the work is called “Through Our Eyes”. The nation wide project encourages participants to tell their own stories the way they want them presented in the world. Disposable cameras are given to local people who were experiencing homeless with one simple instruction- photograph your life. The three bodies of work all address different elements of homelessness and start to break down the complexities of the issue.
