Over 500 first-year students engaged in a Signature Polytechnic Experience (PolyX) their very first semester at Cal Poly Pomona through the Learn Through Discovery (LTD) FYE Showcase.

Happening in person for the first time since 2019, the event gave participating students in the First Year Experience (FYE) program an opportunity to engage in a hands-on project by creating a research poster on a topic they care about. Half of the students presented in person at the University Library on Nov. 18, while the other half submitted video presentations.

Interim provost Iris Levine welcomed attendees, kicking off the poster session. The FYE students explained their research to faculty, staff, and guests and answered their questions. For many, this was not only their first-time doing research at Cal Poly Pomona, but also their first in-person event of their college careers.

"It was amazing to see so many first-year students sharing the results of their learn-by-doing PolyX projects," said Winny Dong, faculty director of LTD. "After more than a year of virtual instruction and a semester of hybrid instruction, it was energizing to be in a space with so many talented students who are excited to talk about how they plan to make a positive impact in their communities."

Virtual Presentations

Those who could not attend the event in person were still able to display their work and explain their projects. In the screening room of the library, the lights were dimmed and the projector rolled through a playlist of virtual presentations that included video footage and PowerPoint slides explaining their concepts and ideas.

Topics included:

• Preventing Homelessness in Urban America
• Racial Inequality Within the Medical Field
• How climate change impacts major cities along the U.S. coasts due to rising sea levels
• Hybrid Classes: Pros and Cons
• The Inmate Initiative
• Clean Water and Sanitation

The virtual projects from the Showcase can be viewed anytime on the LTD website.

In-Person Presentations

The following projects were presented live at the event:

Title: "Students in poverty and its effect on their education and future"
Group Members: Olivia Cassandra Olmos-Campos, Amber Wagner-Smith, Lizette Martinez, Montserrat Galindo, Daniela Giron
Faculty Advisor: Melissa McCormick

Daniela Giron shared how her group's project on the effect of poverty on student education was inspired by personal experiences as a first-generation student. Along with her group, who were also first-gen, they worked on a plan to provide mentorship to more students in need.

Title: "How air and ground sensors can prevent fire disasters"

Group members: Emily Sichley, Dylan Reed, Savannah Lawson
Faculty Advisor: Mrs. Trabanino Ramirez

Emily Sichley explained her group's idea for their project on preventing fire disasters using ground sensors. The sensors would measure the temperature of the ground, calculate the wind speed and take in other environmental information to determine whether there is a fire. When triggered, these sensors would alert drones, who could come in and take pictures to give first responders a heads-up and better prepare them.

Title: "Cardiovascular Disease in Women"
Group Members: Sarah Ramirez, Jazmine Herrera, Lila Semhat
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Gordon

Jazmine Herrera is on her way to becoming an EMT, Lila Semhat wants to be a dietician, and Sarah Ramirez wants to be a pathologist. Combined, they realized something peculiar: all the research out there is for men. They strive to spread awareness for how gender can impact cardiovascular disease; this stems from their personal career passions and the goal to fight the heavy misinformation out in the public.

Title: "One Water Drop at a Time"

Group Members: Amy Harvey, Jesus Vasquez, Ashley De Los Rios, Gabriel Martin
Faculty Advisor: Ertan Salik

This group's mission is to raise awareness and inform students at Cal Poly Pomona specifically of what they can do to help conserve water. According to Amy Harvey, this year was the driest year in California history, and next year, scientists predict it will only get drier. Since California is the hub of a lot of agricultural exports for the rest of the United States, if California continue down this dry and barren path, the chain reaction involved could create food and water shortages nationally, if not globally.

Learn more about the LTD FYE Showcase and PolyX on the LTD website.