Summer science research at Calvin
Research opportunities
At Calvin, science comes alive as students partner with faculty to conduct research in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology/geography/environmental studies, mathematics/statistics, nursing, physics/astronomy and psychology.
Paid research fellowships are available each summer. In 2019:
- 98 students worked with 36 Calvin professors from nine departments.
- 58 research projects explored a wide variety of projects. Some examples: studying which mechanisms contribute to some autoimmune diseases, testing techniques to locate songbird nests,determining the effect certain proteins have on cellular activity, studying the malignant transformation of kidney tubule cells, monitoring social media using machine learning, evaluating a drinking water treatment method for Ethiopia, mapping and data analysis on the cleanup of contaminated sites across Michigan, evaluating activities designed to improve reproductive health management. See a complete list of the 2019 summer research projects.
- Students received a $4100 stipend for 10 weeks of research.
- 36% of the projects were externally funded by grants from outside Calvin University
- 41% more were funded by private donors
Poster Fair
As a summer science research fellow at Calvin, you are required to participate in a special research exposition in the fall after your fellowship is completed. For the research poster fair, held in October, you should create a poster that illustrates your research work and be present at the poster fair to explain your research findings to passersby and guests.
View the Poster Fair websiteEligibility
Awards will be made to qualified students who will have completed their first, second or third year of undergraduate study and who are considering a career in the sciences or mathematics.
Preference will be given to those considering a career in research or teaching in those areas and to students who will be enrolled at Calvin in the fall semester.
Award details
Students will receive $4,200 based on up to 400 non-overtime hours (approximately 10 weeks) of research during the summer months, ending by August 28, 2020.
Requirements
Students must complete certain requirements common to all projects as part of a science summer fellowship. By accepting the research position, students agree to their completion.
2019 Funding for research fellowships
Inquiry-based learning reaches its pinnacle in scientific research. For this reason, Calvin University for many years has encouraged and arranged research opportunities for its students. One of these occurs during the summer when students work with faculty and receive salary support in the form of summer research fellowships. Fellowship funds come from a variety of sources. Some come from generous private donors who know or have experienced the importance of undergraduate research. Other projects are supported by various grants that faculty have obtained. These include grants from National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Still more funds are provided by Calvin University and by the Alumni Fund. All of these funding sources have the same goal: to enhance and expand inquiry-based learning opportunities for undergraduate students in the sciences.
The Amazing Race
Wednesday, October 21, 2020: STEM is an event inspired by the show The Amazing Race. On October 21st, teams of 2-5 students and faculty from Calvin's STEM departments will be competing to win a cash prize! Each of the 10 planned activities is at a different location on campus and teams will have to strategize their routes to finish all the stations the fastest.
The CArV N BLaSTe
Thursday, October 29: The CArV N BLaSTe is put together by Calvin's chemistry department. On October 29th, students and faculty will be gathering to carve pumpkins and make an explosion!
The Early Life Environment, Epigenetics, and Children's Health
Guest Speaker: Jaclyn Goodrich, University of Michigan 1:30p - 2:30p Event will be live streamed through Microsoft Teams.
Friday, October 30, 2020: Exposures to toxic substances in the environment during gestation and childhood can have lasting impacts on child growth, development, and risk for disease. Metals such as lead and endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many consumer products are among toxicants known to adversely impact children. The epigenome, the regulatory network that guides expression of genes, can be altered by these environmental exposures early in life. My research program seeks to identify exposures that are hazardous to children's health and determine whether epigenetic change is one mechanism underlying their effects.
Two Possible Climate Futures for the Great Lakes Region (One Much Better Than the Other)
Guest Speaker: David Karowe, Western Michigan University 1:30p - 2:30p Seminar will be live steamed on Microsoft Teams.
Friday, November 13, 2020: This talk will address the consequences of climate change for species, ecosystems, and human health in the Great Lakes Region, and how those consequences would change if we decide to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enough to limit warming to 2°C.
Is Climate Denial a Sin?
Guest Speaker: Christopher Doran, Pepperdine University 1:30p - 2:30p Event will be live streamed through Microsoft Teams.
Friday, December 4, 2020: Over the last few decades, many American Protestants have rejected the conclusions of mainstream climate science and instead have consistently aligned themselves with a cadre of climate change deniers. In an era when discussing climate change is often done in a hyper-partisan political manner, have American Protestants failed to ask the simple question: Is denying the reality of climate change a sin? In this lecture, Doran examines this question by analyzing the nature of sin, psychological dimensions of denial, and the possible ramifications for American Protestants who have become known for denying the clear evidence of climate change that we see right in front of us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Us
Address
STEM Division Office Calvin University, North Hall | Map 1740 Knollcrest Circle SE Grand Rapids Michigan, 49546-4402 USA
Primary contact
Phone: (616) 526-6200 Email: mnv3@calvin.edu
Student Ambassadors
Anna Giboney: arg34@students.calvin.edu Andrew Burtt: jab233@students.calvin.edu
Social Media:
Instagram: @calvin_stem