STAR program encourages undergraduate research
Josh Kurtz
Issue date: 8/8/08 Section: News
Paul Hirshorn, a professor of architecture and interior design, is serving as the faculty mentor for the project.
Shin and Cole have been examining different row houses located in various parts of Philadelphia and are creating a booklet dealing with the row houses for future freshman architecture students.
Row houses are "one of the most original forms of architecture," Shin said.
One key aspect of row houses is their effectiveness in providing natural light, a factor important in today's architectural world, despite having limited space for windows, she added.
"Being energy efficient and letting in natural light is definitely a big part of where architecture is going," Shin said.
Shin said she would be open to continuing to work with row houses in the future.
Shin said the STAR program has been a good experience so far, and that she believes the architecture program as a whole has benefited from being a part of the program.
While the program takes place during the summer, some of the projects are not limited to that time, according to Elaine O'Loughlin, assistant dean for special programs in the Pennoni Honors College. Some students have started working on their projects during their freshmen year, and some have continued with their research after finishing the STAR program.
Students who worked on a project focusing on digital media during last year's STAR program traveled to Vienna to present at an international digital media conference, according to O'Loughlin.
The students in the STAR program are chosen based on academic excellence, and they generally work on a topic related to their field of study. The program involves students from a variety of majors.
The freshmen who participate in the STAR program are expected to work on their project for 35 to 40 hours per week, according to O'Loughlin. The students are paid $4,000 and supplied free housing for their work.
The STAR program is currently in its sixth year. It was started by Suzanne Rocheleau, who is currently the associate dean for special projects of the Pennoni Honors College.
Near the conclusion of the program, the students present posters explaining their projects.
"[The posters are] a chance [for the students] to share their research with the interested Drexel community," Jones said.
The presentations will be held Aug. 14.
Shin and Cole have been examining different row houses located in various parts of Philadelphia and are creating a booklet dealing with the row houses for future freshman architecture students.
Row houses are "one of the most original forms of architecture," Shin said.
One key aspect of row houses is their effectiveness in providing natural light, a factor important in today's architectural world, despite having limited space for windows, she added.
"Being energy efficient and letting in natural light is definitely a big part of where architecture is going," Shin said.
Shin said she would be open to continuing to work with row houses in the future.
Shin said the STAR program has been a good experience so far, and that she believes the architecture program as a whole has benefited from being a part of the program.
While the program takes place during the summer, some of the projects are not limited to that time, according to Elaine O'Loughlin, assistant dean for special programs in the Pennoni Honors College. Some students have started working on their projects during their freshmen year, and some have continued with their research after finishing the STAR program.
Students who worked on a project focusing on digital media during last year's STAR program traveled to Vienna to present at an international digital media conference, according to O'Loughlin.
The students in the STAR program are chosen based on academic excellence, and they generally work on a topic related to their field of study. The program involves students from a variety of majors.
The freshmen who participate in the STAR program are expected to work on their project for 35 to 40 hours per week, according to O'Loughlin. The students are paid $4,000 and supplied free housing for their work.
The STAR program is currently in its sixth year. It was started by Suzanne Rocheleau, who is currently the associate dean for special projects of the Pennoni Honors College.
Near the conclusion of the program, the students present posters explaining their projects.
"[The posters are] a chance [for the students] to share their research with the interested Drexel community," Jones said.
The presentations will be held Aug. 14.
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