Celebration of Research

8th Annual Celebration of Research

Welcome to Cal Poly �ǿմ�ý's Eighth Annual Celebration of Research! The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is hosting a celebration of student research, scholarship, and creative activities on its social media accounts from March to May with events happening across campus. Follow the OUR on Instagram, LinkedIn, or X below to engage with content that recognizes the creativity, discovery, and innovation of CPP students from all disciplines and majors! This includes diverse research profiles, articles, events, faculty mentor recognitions, and updates about the 40th Annual CSU Student Research Competition.

2026 Events

OUR Chats: A Research Talk Show

Past 2023 Event

OUR Chats

OUR Chats is a casual yet informative talk show where Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Events & Training Liaison Romina Baronia sits down with Cal Poly �ǿմ�ý faculty for discussions about their research and how they navigated their research journey. The best part? We have a charcuterie board – aka, adult Lunchables®

Student smiling next to his presentation.

OAI Collective Career Competency Showcase

April 10, 2026

OAI Collective Career Competency Showcase

This special event celebrates the creativity, innovation, and impact of student employees across the Office of Academic Innovation. Throughout the year, you’ve contributed to meaningful projects, collaborated across teams, and built valuable career skills. The showcase is your opportunity to share your work, reflect on your growth, and highlight how your student employment experience translates into real-world professional development.

At the showcase, you will:
• Present your project through interactive tables or short spotlight presentations
• Share how your experience strengthened leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, technology fluency, professionalism, and innovation
• Build confidence in presenting your work in a supportive and celebratory environment
• Earn the Student Innovator digital badge to feature on your LinkedIn and professional portfolio

Spots are limited, so be sure to register by Friday, March 27.

Location: iLAB (Presentations) & International Center (Project Tabling)

Time: 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Cal Poly �ǿմ�ý Artificial Intelligence Fair

April 16, 2026

Cal Poly �ǿմ�ý Artificial Intelligence Fair

The AI Adventure Hackathon, an energizing, hands-on competition that challenges students to apply artificial intelligence to real-world problems.
Participants from diverse backgrounds work in teams to create tangible, AI-enabled outcomes, including prototypes, applications, and data-driven solutions, while strengthening their creativity, innovation, and startup-style problem-solving skills.
The event features two exciting and complementary tracks:

Sponsored Problem Challenges Students solve real-world problems proposed by the sponsors.

Creative Challenges Students solve real-world problems proposed by the students themselves.

Location: BSC Ursa Major

Time: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Learn about the Fair

Student working in a kitchen, making plates.

Collins College Hospitality Uncorked

April 18, 2026

Collins College Hospitality Uncorked

Every year, Hospitality Uncorked celebrates the dynamic social and cultural life that has made hospitality the No. 1 industry in Southern California while raising funds for students from The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly �ǿմ�ý. Organized by The Collins College Board of Advisors, Hospitality Uncorked provides an opportunity to keep Collins College students in front of a broad spectrum of industry professionals, many of whom benefit directly from its gainfully employed students and alumni. Over half a million dollars is raised from generous partners and friends each year to fund scholarships, professional development opportunities, industry trips, innovative programs and more for students to succeed on their journey toward a degree.

Location: JW Marriot Los Angeles LA Live

Time: 6:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Bronco Start Up Challenge 2026

April 23, 2026

Bronco Start Up Challenge 2026

This competition is hosted by the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization and the Student Innovation Idea Labs.

This is your chance to watch CPP's best business ideas or prototypes, wow the judges, and compete for cash prizes!

Not only will you get the opportunity to watch a Shark Tank-style competition for real money, but you’ll also enjoy dinner on us while connecting with fellow visionaries.

Application Deadline: April 10th
Event: Bronco Startup Challenge
Dinner will be provided!

RSVP today and listen to a keynote speaker, hear real feedback, and network with inspiring individuals

Location: CPP

Time: 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Students presenting at the CSU research competition

CSU Student Research Competition

April 23 - 25, 2025

CSU Student Research Competition

The California State University Systemwide Student Research Competition is an annual event that brings together scholars from all of the 23 campuses of the California State University system. The competition showcases undergraduate and graduate scholarly research and creative activity by recognizing outstanding student accomplishments. Undergraduate and graduate student participants from all disciplines are judged by experts for their oral presentations and written abstracts. Students who compete in the CSU Student Research Competition can win first place awards of $500 for first place and $250 for second place recognition in their session.

Cal Poly �ǿմ�ý representatives to the competition are selected from the Annual Student RSCA Conference, held in the first week of March, hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research in association with URFAC.

Project: Inadequate Interpretation Services in Court Proceedings

Authors: Ashley Orellana

Project: The Impact of Immigration Age on Cultural Identity

Authors: Mareen Riad

Project:Necropolitics & the Biases of the UNDRIP within Canada

Authors: Amary Corona

Project: Paternalistic Power and Control: Clinton and Operation Restore Democracy

Author: Juliett Garcia

Project: EFFECT OF MAILLARD CONJUGATES VS. ELECTROSTATIC DEPOSITION ON THE FORMATION OF LUTEIN-ENRICHED EMULSIONS

Authors: Jocelyne Argueta

Project: BANSHEE UAV

Authors: Kai Arellano, Nathan Thompson, Kyle Sakuda, Sabah Abdelhameid, Jason Nicolson, Juan Bosque

Project: Sensorless Brushed DC Motor PID Speed Control System in Verilog

Authors: Ryan Lui

Project: Effects of Aluminizing Stainless Steels

Author: Quentin Owens, Andreas Zimmermann, Jocasta Do, Jonathan Garcia, Alvaro Sanchez, Narek Teimourian

Project: Reduction of CO2 with with N-Hetercyclic Carbene Manganese Complexes

Author: Daena Cabral

Congratulations to these RSCA awardees!

CLASS 25th Songwriter Showcase

April 24, 2026

CLASS 25th Songwriter Showcase

Join us for the 25th Songwriter Showcase, where the spotlight shines on original songs by CPP’s talented student songwriters. This two-night event features performances that cross genres and styles, offering a platform for emerging voices in the music industry. Discover fresh talent and new music in this engaging showcase.

Ticket Price w/ Fees: $12.00 - $22.50
Online tickets are available until 2 hours before the performance.
Once online ticket sales close, you can purchase tickets in-person at the Box Office starting at 7 PM.

Location: CPP Recital Hall

Time: 8:00 pm

College of Science Research Symposium

April 24, 2026

College of Science Research Symposium

Undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Science are encouraged to submit abstracts and posters. Projects can be at any stage, from preliminary to completed senior projects or master's theses/projects. Faculty, please encourage your students to submit an abstract and plan to attend this event celebrating student research.

Location: University Quad

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Learn about the Symposium

Sociology & Psychology Department 16th Annual Lowell Overton Symposium

April 24, 2026

Sociology & Psychology Department 16th Annual Lowell Overton Symposium

The annual Lowell Overton Undergraduate Research Symposium showcases students' research through oral and poster presentations. The symposium provides a venue for students interested in research and/or graduate school to practice their presentations for regional and national conferences.

Location: 11:00 - 3:00 pm

Time: Building 5, First Floor

Learn about the Symposium

Guest walking through the Poly Kroma art gallery.

Art Department Poly-Kroma

April 25 - May 17, 2026

Art Department Poly-Kroma

poly-kroma 2026 celebrates the Fine Arts and Visual Communication Design on the Cal Poly �ǿմ�ý campus with its 2D3D+ juried Student Art Exhibition, the Motion Festival, and Industry Day — a Senior Student Visual Communication Design portfolio showcase event and exhibition. Additionally, the Art History’s Senior portfolio showcase will be displayed with 2D3D+.

EVENTS
Industry Day – Senior Portfolio Showcase
Saturday, April 25, 2026, @ 12–4pm

Art History Portfolio Showcase
Thursday, April 30, 2026, @ 5–8pm

2D3D+ Reception & Awards Ceremony
Thursday, April 30, 2026, @ 5–8pm

Motion Festival
Thursday, April 30, 2026, @ 8–9pm

Family & Friends Day
Sunday, May 17, 2026, @ 4:30–6:30pm

Location: Kellogg University Art Gallery

PolyX Showcase

April 30, 2026

PolyX Showcase

The PolyX Showcase is part of CPP’s Signature Polytechnic Experience program. It highlights innovative, hands-on projects created by first-year students in their First-Year Experience (FYE) courses. Students present research, creative works, and real-world problem-solving projects they developed during their first semester.

Purpose:

Give students early exposure to applied learning.

Showcase creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

Connect students with faculty, peers, and industry perspectives.

Location: BSC Ursa Major

Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Learn More about the Showcase.

College of Engineering Project Symposium and Showcase

May 1, 2026

College of Engineering Project Symposium and Showcase

Every year, over 450 students across all seven engineering departments will present their designs and findings in a public forum. This is an opportunity for engineering students to showcase their hard work and ability to communicate and organize their findings for a public forum—important skills in an engineering career.

Location: TBA

Time: TBA

Learn More about the Showcase.

McNair student speaking into a microphone.

McNair Scholars Research Symposium

May 7, 29026

McNair Scholars Research Symposium

Every year at the end of Spring semester, the McNair Scholars Program brings their scholars together to present their culminating research projects at an annual research symposium.

Location: TBA

Time: TBA

Learn about the Symposium

Student carrying his produce in a field.

DBH College of Agriculture Student RSCA Showcase

Fall 2026

DBH College of Agriculture Student RSCA Showcase

The Agricultural Research Institute will reschedule its annual showcase to fall semester in the month of November. The exact date will be communicated on campus a few months before the scheduled date for the showcase.

Location: TBA

Time: TBA

Learn More about the Showcase.

Past Events

Note:

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