Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exhibition offers cash for best ideas

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The world’s problems can’t be solved without knowledge — and in the case of the Student Research and Creative Endeavors Exhibition, a little cash can’t hurt, either.

Ovid freshman Hillary Nethaway and Saline freshman Kirby Herron are trying to donate $2,750 dollars for Women’s Aid Services of Mount Pleasant.

The pair was among 42 groups who presented at the seventh annual SRCEE on Wednesday afternoon.

“Domestic violence is a problem that people don’t want to talk about, they want to ignore it,” Nethaway said. “I think it’s something that needs to be talked about.”

Fifteen of the groups are competing to win money they will donate to their cause. The top five will receive funds from a pool of $9,500, with $2,750 for first place.

The money was raised from several venues. The winners will be announced on Monday.

Their hopes were that by giving people the information, the amount of domestic violence will decrease and there will be more hope for people to escape the situation.

“There is a place where they can go if they don’t want to tell someone they know, it’s all confidential,” Nethaway said.

Interim Dean of Education and Human Services Kathryn Koch said SRCEE is important for many reasons.

“The most important thing is that it demonstrates what our students can do beyond the confines of the classroom,” Koch said.

She believes it helps prepare students for future jobs because it lets them demonstrate the skills that employers are looking for, such as creativity.

“It’s an all-around good learning opportunity that benefits the students, the community and demonstrates the overall quality of the students we have here,” Koch said.

Livonia senior Jennifer Kolbus and Byron senior Justin Stawara were not competing for the money, but wanted to spread awareness on an issue for their education class.

Their presentation supported differentiated instruction, a program they would like to see implemented into general education classes.

“We want to break the stereotype that differentiated instruction is just for special education students, because it’s proven to work with all students,” Kolbus said.

They interviewed 60 mid-tier (K-6) students in the teaching program on how important they feel it is.

“Turns out that 73 percent of them see it in their classrooms today, so that’s hopeful,” Kolbus said.

Stawara said their basic goal was awareness, because many of their peers had heard of it but did not fully understand.

Ray Francis, interim associate dean of Education and Human Services, declared the event a success.

“I thought it went really great, there were a lot of student presentations and exhibits and a good crowd,” Francis said.

He is optimistic about the future of SRCEE and believes they will continue to get more students and faculty involved.

“It’s one of those things that continues to peak students’ interest about things,” Francis said. “It’s growing right now.”