MCC Celebrates Original, Creative, Scholarly Works of 60 Students and Faculty with Local Community
April 25, 2023
Scholars’ Day features tech demos, dramatic reading and research presentations
BRIGHTON, N.Y. – Sixty Monroe Community College students and faculty members will showcase their original research and creative works at the college’s 15th annual Scholars’ Day on Tuesday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. in the Fine Arts Building on MCC’s Brighton Campus.
Scholars’ Day is one of MCC’s highly attended events, with presenters across disciplines competing for awards. The event provides a platform for students, faculty and staff to showcase their outstanding creative and scholarly works such as research and writing projects, theatrical performances, exhibits, symposia, panel discussions and robotics demonstrations.
Some of this year’s presentation topics include:
- “Holocaust Survivors of Rochester: Their Stories and Legacy,” showcasing how an MCC student is archiving the story of a local Holocaust survivor in a meaningful and educational way by using Esri StoryMap – an online, interactive, geography-based tool. The project is the beginning of a series of Survivor StoryMaps that will follow local Holocaust survivors from birthplace to present-day life or burial site and tell the story of their struggle and survival. Leah Mathis
- “Fearless Creation: Celebrating the Art of the Unheard,” a mixed theatrical presentation of original poetry interwoven with existing works of prominent African-American artists that tells a new story, highlighting the courage present in the art that the world takes for granted. Also featured are contemporary dance, monologue and more. Kidane Malik, Heaven Murphy, Anderson Allen
- “From Concept to Prototype: The Development of a Tilt-Rotor VTOL Drone,” showcasing a team of MCC students’ design and creation of a prototype of an aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). Maxim Karasev, Piotr Cetner, Omar Nadeem
- “Come Play With PTK: The Positive Impact of Play on Adolescent Refugees and their Families.” A team of MCC students conducted research and interviewed Rochester refugees about their personal struggles and triumphs in examining how supervised play can therapeutically impact refugee children and help them forge relationships with others. MCC students then hosted an indoor playtime and resource fair for refugee families in collaboration with local refugee organizations and campus clubs. Isaiah Gonsalves, Jeremiah Cortes
Presentations are judged on originality, creativity and the scholars’ depth of understanding of the topic. Top presenters are eligible for $25,000 in scholarships, thanks to Monroe Community College Foundation supporters and the ESL Charitable Foundation.