Driven to Discover: The Research Series

In this episode, we feature student researchers and their notable contributions; look back at the formation of the Child Protection International organization; discuss creativity in research; and present an imaginative view of student research.

Researcher

Students become involved in research to stimulate their minds, broaden their perspectives, and expand their connections to the research communities around the world.

In our Featured Researcher segment, we learn what makes student researchers tick.

Producer, Pete McCauley; Videographer, Juli Manser; Audio, Al Wivell; Make-up, Cindi Rae Betting; Production Assistants, Dan Sagisser & Brad Hosack

Historical

In 2007, a Sudanese “Lost Boy” attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota learned that two of his nieces were abducted during a cattle raid back home. He and his fellow classmates joined together in an effort to rescue the girls.

That effort was the foundation for Child Protection International, an organization that advocates for the protection of children and is recognized by the United Nations.

Producer, Gary Ludwitzke; Videographer, Juli Manser; Audio, Jon Kranzler; Make-up, Mary Flaa; Production Assistant, Emily Mahon 

Panel

Students often think research only pertains to the hard sciences. But research needs a creative side as well. Our Lines of Reasoning panel discusses creativity in research by sharing personal and anecdotal experiences.

Producer, Paul Pecilunas; Director of Photography, Gary Ludwitzke; Audio, Jim Foslien; Set Design/ Lighting Coordinator, Laura Cervin; Technical Director, Juli Manser; Production Assistant, Emily Mahon; Crew, Michael Olson, Mike Ballard, Colin McFadden, Alyson Jubert, Donovan Solis Arroyo, Benjamin Rozenberg, Jean Park, Yuxi Weng

Art of Research

Artistic representations, though they may not match the research, are meant to illuminate, captivate, and leave a stronger impression. In this Art of the Research segment, we look at student research through the kaleidoscope perspective of the Arts.

Producers, Megan Lewis, Paul Pecilunas; Videographer, Juli Manser; Audio, Emily Mahon; Makeup, Mary Flaa; Footage Courtesy of: Institute on the Environment, California Newsreel

Panel

The Fisch Art of Medicine Student Awards program allows current University of Minnesota medical students to explore the arts and humanities in ways that are not possible in the conventional medical school curriculum. These awards nurture creativity, allow students to express themselves in new ways, and enhance lifelong connections between the art and science of medicine. Learn more about the program through the Minnesota Medical Foundation's blog post Grants nourish student's creativity: A new grant program is giving medical students a chance to exercise their right brains.

The National Center for Earth-Surface Dynamics, headquartered at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory at the University of Minnesota, pursues its goal of predictive Earth-surface science by integrating physical, biological, and social sciences. They aim to create bonds between learning and inquiry so that discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process.

History

Child Protection International is an advocacy and awareness organization that works to bring attention to the global problems of child abduction, trafficking and exploitation.

The Human Rights Resource Center works in partnership with the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library to create and distribute Human Rights Education resources via electronic and print media, train activists, professionals, and students as human rights educators, Build advocacy networks to encourage effective practices in human rights education, and much more.

Researcher

Kinesiology, broadly defined, is the study of human movement. The School of Kinesiology focuses on the biological, developmental, social, and behavioral bases of physical activity, recreation, sport and human performance through its programs in Kinesiology, Sport Management, and Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies.

The Tucker Center is leading a pioneering effort to examine how sport and physical activity affect the lives of girls and women, their families, and communities. Visit their website to learn more about their current projects and lectures. 

Art

The University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment (IonE) researches and addresses today’s grand environmental challenges, including the need to provide energy, food and freshwater to the world in sustainable and economically viable ways.

This segment features a clip of Megan Lewis teaching at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), an affiliated program of the University of Minnesota College of Continuing Education comprised of older adults in the Twin Cities metropolitan area who love learning and enjoy spending time with like-minded individuals.

Panel

The Leader, the official blog of the University of Minnesota's administrative licensure program and the Department of Educational Policy and Administration discusses the importance of creativity in its post 21st Century Education: Fostering Creativity and Innovation in the Classroom

The Transportationist,  a weblog by David Levinson and the Nexus Research Group on Networks, Economics, and Urban System analyzes the question Does Creativity wither with age?

History

Learn about the Human Rights Program at the University of Minnesota which educates students by connecting them with academic and real-world experience in the field of international human rights.

Use the Class Search to find human rights advocacy classes.

Researcher

Visit Gophersports.com for more information on all of the sports at the University of Minnesota.

The Psychology of Coaching Class Blog contains many posts about homophobia and heterosexism in sports. Posts include topics such as Hazing/Homophobia Differences in Male/Female Sport Contexts, Hazing and Homophobia: one in one with sports, and many more.

Art

The Department of Theater Arts and Dance website contains information about the dance program, faculty and more.

Use the Class Search to find Environmental Engineering classes.

Do you think that more creativity needs to be employed in research or that creativity in research needs to remain how it is for there to be a distinct difference between artists and researchers/economists/etc.?

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