Monday, February 19, 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Students showcase research
By Andrew Davies
writer@kansan.com
Kansas state writer
Rebekah Moses entered the Kansas Union wearing a halter top, and a skirt, jeans and a cowboy boot on her right leg, and loose pants and a tennis shoe on her left leg. She completed the ensemble by hanging tortilla shells on her outfit.
But Moses, Great Bend junior, didn't wear the outfit to be funny. She said she wore the outfit to illustrate the silliness of stereotypes about Mexican Americans.
Moses was one of more than 60 students to take part in the Undergraduate Research Symposium Saturday at the Kansas Union.
Barbara Schowen, Honors Program director, said the symposium gave students a chance to showcase research projects they had completed.
Rebekah Moses, Great Bend junior, sits among her research project display, El Momiento: Migration Stories. Moses said the project aimed to combat discrimination against Mexicans in the United States. Moses and thirty other students presented their research at the Undergraduate Research Symposium Saturday at the Kansas Union. Photo by Thad Allender/KANSAN
"I thought it was marvelous," she said. "It all went off beautifully."
The symposium featured a wide variety of research projects, ranging from an examination of the music and culture in Taipei, Taiwan, to the differences in the tail autonomy of salamanders.
Moses said she wanted to deconstruct familiar stereotypes of Mexican Americans. She chose to include images of a gangster, a cowboy, indigenous people and a sexy Latin woman. She said that she wore the tortilla shells because she wanted people to realize how funny stereotypes were.
Moses, who said she aspired to have a career in immigration law, said the motivation to do her research project stemmed from her interest in both politics and art.
"I wanted to be able to combine my political agenda and my political passion with my artistic passion," she said.
Moses, who plans to create a performance from her research, worked on the project last summer in Great Bend. She taped interviews, took photographs and kept a journal of trends in the Latino community.
Moses started putting the show together when she came back to school last fall. She spliced tapes and developed pictures from Great Bend and said she hoped to perform her show for the first time in April.
Moses said she eventually wanted to perform the program in elementary schools.
Mark Bradshaw, Walnut senior, studied the history of the Baker Wetlands near Haskell Indian Nations University. He said the project grew out of an interest in the area.
"When I started to find out some o' the history — that the land had been owned by different parties at different times throughout the last several decades — I wanted to know how that had happened," he said. "It just so happened I had a paper I needed to write for a class, and it all kind of took off from there."
Bradshaw said he worked on the project for the last year and-a-half. He
said he did most of his research by reading newspapers, journals, and original documents from University Archives, Spencer Research Library and local politicians.
Undergraduate research awards financed much of the research, including Moses and Bradshaw's projects. Moses received a $1,000 award and Bradshaw received a $1,300 award.
Schowen said the Honors Program granted 25 undergraduate research awards. The grants were provided funds by the provost's office, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Center for Research. Inc.
Seven other students used research money from agencies including the National Science Foundation, the American Heart Association, and NASA to conduct research.
Schowen said the symposium's purpose was to let people see that in-depth research was not limited to graduate students.
"I think KU is really trying to point out the importance of undergrads doing research," she said.
- Edited by Sydney Wallace
We Buy, Sell & Trade USED & NEW Sports Equipment
841-PLAY 1029 Massachusetts
- Pool/ 2 Laundry Rooms
Enjoy living in the apartment complex with a tradition of established excellence
Volleyball Court
- On KU Bus Route
- Some W/D Hookups
We are now accepting deposits for the spring and fall semesters on very large 18.2
- Low Deposits
- Small Pets Welcome
Call or stop by today! 2401 W.25th,9A3·842.1455
very large 1&.2 bedroom apartments
Sound too good to be true? Look again. We offer flexible schedules, excellent training, meal discounts, paid vacation, medical/dental insurance, 401(k) savings plan and management career advance opportunities. Come see the difference we're making at Olive Garden. To apply, visit us today at: 15090 W.119th & Blackbob Rd.,
When you're here,you're family.
www.ollivegarden.com
W Hollywood Theaters
HOLLYWOOD THEATERS
SOUTHWIND 12
3433 IOWA
832 0880
BARGAIN MATINEES INDICATED BY ()
STADIUM SEATING • ALL DIGITAL
Sat - Sun Daily
1 Finding Forrester $^{P0}$ (1:15) 4:15, 7:10, 10:05
2 Snatch $^{e}$ (1:35) 4:35, 7:25, 9:50
3 Cast Away $^{P0}$ (1:00) 4:00, 7:00, 10:10
4 Down To Earth $^{P0}$ (1:20) 4:30, 7:15, 9:45
5 Sweet November $^{P0}$ (1:30) 4:20, 7:15, 10:00
6 Hannibal $^{P0}$ (1:05) 4:05, 7:05, 10:05
7 Hannibal $^{E}$ (1:45) 4:45, 7:45
8 Saving Silverman $^{P0}$ (2:00) 4:55, 7:40, 10:00
9 Recessions' School's Out $^{P0}$ (1:40) 4:30, 7:00, 9:15
10 Traffic $^{P0}$ (1:00) 4:00, 7:05, 10:10
11 O Brother, Where Art Thou? $^{P0}$ (1:50) 4:40, 7:20, 9:50
12 The Wedding Planner $^{P0}$ (1:55) 4:50, 7:30, 9:55
PLAZA 6
2339 IOWA
841 8600
Sat & Sun Daily
1 What Women Want $^{e}$ (1:50) 4:35, 7:05, 9:35
2 Head Over Heels $^{P0}$ (2:00) 4:45, 7:10, 9:45
3 13 Days $^{e}$ (1:45) 4:40, 8:00
4 Valentine $^{e}$ (1:55) 4:45, 7:00, 9:30
5 Save The Last Dance $^{P0}$ (1:50) 4:35, 7:05, 9:35
6 Chocolat $^{P0-2}$ (1:45) 4:30, 7:00, 9:30
★ NO VIP, PASSES • SUPERSAVERS
SHOWTIMES FOR TODAY ONLY
Photo ID required for R movies
Fair Housing It's Your Right!
Every American has a right to Fair Housing.
The right to live where you choose,to raise a family, to own or rent a home in dignity and without fear of discrimination is a fundamental right guaranteed to all.
It cannot be denied to anyone because of race, sex religion, color, national origin, age, ancestry, familial status, sexual orientation, or disability.
It is against the law to deny people the opportunity to live where they want to live. If you feel that you are being treated unfairly, contact:
City of Lawrence, Kansas Human Relations Commission Human Relations/Human Resources Dept.
3rd Floor - City Hall 6th & Massachusetts Lawrence, Kansas 66044
Phone: 785-832-3310 Fax: 785-832-3315
E-mail: humanrelations@ci.lawrence.ks.us Website: www.lawrencehumanrelations.org/
---