GSSM Hosts 32nd Annual Research Colloquium

On March 3, 2021, the South Carolina Governor's School for Science + Mathematics hosted its 32nd Annual Research Colloquium. GSSM Seniors presented their research projects. 

Since 1990, GSSM's Annual Research Colloquium has been an opportunity for GSSM students to share their research accomplishments and experiences. The GSSM research & inquiry experience provides our students with the opportunity for exploration, discovery, and individual growth. Colloquium also reflects the duty of scientists, explorers, and innovators to discover and effectively communicate that knowledge to others. In this time-honored tradition of science, Colloquium is our opportunity to share, celebrate, and learn as a community.  

GSSM's Annual Research Colloquium featured student presentations of their research & inquiry projects and the presentation of the Distinguished Research Leadership Award.   

The students were able to transition to Zoom for this year's Colloquium seamlessly. After the welcome session, the students presented their projects in 15-minute blocks split across 8 Zoom rooms.   

Presentations included: 

• Virtual Vehicle Automation by Anish Kanthamneni: an experiment to see if it is possible to use Python to drive a car in a driving simulator. 
• The Effects of Heat Stress on Pollen Viability in Peanut Genotypes by Christopher LeBarron, Mary Lee, Elizabeth Middleton & Kaylex Wilcox: a study of peanut genotypes growing in rising temperatures. 
• Bike to the Future by Chisom Emetu, Amelia Fischer, Maura Hilbourn, Suma Ravi & Margaret Wensink: an ongoing project focused on improving cycling and pedestrian infrastructure in South Carolina, and many more. 

 "GSSM's Annual Research Colloquium is one of the great traditions of our school," said Josh Witten, the organizer. "We are fortunate to have the tools and the talent at GSSM to stay true to our purpose and identity, even in the face of substantial challenges. GSSM's Research Colloquium has always been about the responsibility of scientists to communicate their research and the celebration of our talented students's achievements. Thanks to our student presenters, hard-working room moderators, and supportive community, our 32nd Annual and First Virtual Research Colloquium achieved those goals as well as any of the 31 that have come before." 

View the Colloquium book here, which contains the abstracts for each presentation and artwork provided by students participating in the Pandemic Pen and Ink Project.