Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate research at Franklin College promotes deep learning by inviting students to be active participants in the process of discovery.

These mentored, self-directed projects involve inquiry, design, investigation, research, scholarship, discovery, application, writing, and performance. Students often present their work on a local, regional, and national level through conferences and publications.

Scholars’ Day

Each year, after months of detailed research under the direction of faculty mentors, students have the opportunity to showcase their work for faculty, staff, peers and guests on Scholars’ Day.  Learn about Scholars Day 2023.

Completed Student Projects

  • Undergraduate Research Collection
  • Students regularly present at state, regional, and national conferences:
    • Natural Areas Association National Conference
    • Experimental Biology National Conference
    • National Undergraduate Research Conference
    • Chi Beta Phi National Conference
    • Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference
    • Indiana Academy of Science
    • Butler Undergraduate Research Conference
    • Midwestern Psychological Association
    • Mid-American Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference
    • Mathematical Association of America Indiana Conference
    • Indiana Chapter of The Wildlife Society
    • Southern Indiana Conservation Conference
  • Kenzie Glassburn

    Students wanting to get involved should not be afraid to ask about opportunities. As a new student at FC, I was timid, and the idea of asking a professor for an opportunity to do research seemed daunting, although it proved to be worthwhile. Many of the professors have projects that students may not be aware of and the only way to find out about them is to inquire. For those students just beginning their research, I would advise them to keep an open mind and stay consistent. Projects may seem less than glamorous at times and occasionally the lab work can seem tedious, but when you finally obtain data and see a question being answered or an answer being explained by your work, it’s all worthwhile. - Kenzie Glassburn '17

Did You Know?

Every Franklin College student completes a sequence of coursework in the major that develops their inquiry and analysis skills, culminating in a substantial scholarly project.