Every year, the Cal State University system looks to showcase the work of the best and brightest California has to offer. They’ve been doing so for the past 35 years by putting students from each school in a ‘battle of the brains’, with the CSU Student Research Competition. However, before Sonoma State can send any students to compete, they must narrow down the teams that will be participating.

“What we’re doing is holding an internal competition to determine the 10 projects that will represent SSU at the event.” said Student Research Analyst, Stacey Pelton

In a typical year, all 23 CSU schools would send 10 teams of researchers to a host university, aiming to present their research on various topics. These research topics range from Engineering and Computer Science to Creative Arts and Design. However, similarly to last year’s event, this year’s competition will be held entirely online due to the nationwide shutdown.

“Typically, we travel to whatever campus is hosting. My office pays for all of the travel, hotel, meals, and we all just have a great time together,” Pelton said. “It’s a great experience. Again, it’s not quite the same as it was when we were all together in person, but it’s still a great way to showcase the work that you’re doing.”

A global pandemic is sure to cause its fair share of difficulties, but Pelton and the rest of the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs team is confident that this year’s competition will continue to run smoothly.

“Last spring we had to scramble at the last minute to turn it into a virtual competition and it did present some challenges,” said Steve Karp, the co-coordinator and Vice President of Research & Sponsored Programs.

“Last year’s host university, CSU East Bay, did an excellent job of coordinating instructions on how to operate remotely,” Karp added. “This year we think it will be smoother for all of the campus to coordinate virtual presentations.”

By the time the pandemic hit last year, most of the main research had already been completed, so finding new and interesting topics to research this year has become slightly more difficult than in years past.

“Getting research done has been a challenge for students and the faculty assisting them because access to lab space has to be coordinated so we make sure there’s no more than one group in the space at a time,” Karp said. “We’ve gotten good at coordinating, but it slows down the research in general.”

Karp went on to praise SSU students for their flexibility in adapting to this “new normal”.

“Often research is done in teams, so trying to get a team together on Zoom to talk about lab work or field work, you have to be a little more creative on how you do that. Sonoma State students are definitely up to the challenge and have risen to that added creativity, so I’m pretty happy about that.”

The Office of Research & Sponsored Programs wants every student interested in applying before the March 5th deadline to review all of the guidelines before entering and to reach out for help if it is needed.

“If anyone has any questions, I would welcome any contact,” Pelton said. “If they’re not sure if what they’re doing meets the requirements, I’d be willing to have a conversation about that for sure.”

Karp had similar advice and encouraged students not to doubt their ability to create.

“I want [students] to please apply. Don’t let lack of confidence; that you’re not good enough, keep you from applying, because I guarantee you are good enough,” Karp added. “Students always amaze me with how good they do in their presentations. I always think back to when I was a student at that age, and I honestly don’t think I could’ve done a better job than the Sonoma State students that I see do this.”

If any students are curious about the competition or have questions regarding applying, they can email Stacey Pelton at [email protected] for more information.