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Theatre STEM Program

The Office of Undergraduate Research in collaboration with the Center for Communicating Science and VT’s Theater Arts Program is excited to realize the vision of Dr. Dennis Dean to engage STEM undergraduate researchers in a variety of acting and presentation experiences. The goal of this new program is to help STEM students become effective and engaging communicators. In this pilot program, 10 students will be selected to participate during the 2024-25 academic year.

Student Benefits

  • Communication skill development and increased confidence in communicating research by applying acting techniques learned and developed throughout the program.
  • Build professional network and develop relationships with instructors and other students in the cohort.
  • Opportunity to present research in two different formats- oral and poster- at the 2025 Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference.
  • Eligible for awards at both the Undergraduate Nutshell Games and poster presentation during the 2025 Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference.
  • Eligible for up to $500 support towards travel to present research at a conference outside VT.

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate students enrolled in any STEM major (major should be housed in one of the following colleges: CALS, CNRE, COE, or COS).
  • Actively engaged in STEM-related undergraduate research.
  • Student may be in any year of their program.

Student Requirements & Expectations

  • Complete TA 2024- Introduction to Acting or TA 2404- Introduction to Applied Collaborative Techniques (I-ACT) in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025. There are several sections of each course offered each semester.
  • Complete the specially designed Theatre STEM workshop(s) in late Spring 2025 (workshops will be offered ~1 month before the 2025 Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference).
  • Present research at the first Undergraduate Nutshell Games, to be featured at the Spring 2025 Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship Conference.
  • Register for and present research as a poster at the Spring 2025 Dennis Dean Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship conference.

Application Requirements

  • Proof of major- unofficial transcript submission.
  • Provide evidence of completing/enrolling in one of the required courses.
  • Paragraph describing why the student would like to build their communication skills.
  • Confirmation of active research engagement from research mentor.
Apply Now

NOTE: You must be logged in to O365 to access the application form.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on January 31, 2025. Students will be selected and informed of their status in the program in mid-February.