student talking to professor at annual RAPS event

Clarkson University encourages and supports undergraduate and graduate research across our schools and facilities.  The Research and Project Showcase (RAPS) is held twice annually, in April and in July, at our main Potsdam campus.

RAPS is a forum for student presentations on research and independent projects, or other educational activities such as internships, co-ops and study abroad experiences.  Creative projects, designs, business plans, and other activities are welcome.  Presentations may be given orally and/or in a poster session.

Awards for Best Presentation in each category are decided by faculty and guest judges.

The goal is to celebrate all forms of scholarship from all disciplines and to provide an opportunity for a broad audience to appreciate work by Clarkson’s students.

Sustainability Prize Information (Poster Session Only)

The Institute for a Sustainable Environment will acknowledge student research that can be applied to sustainability principles or practices. Projects from all disciplines are eligible for this opportunity. The First Place award-winning poster and a few Honorable Mentions will be selected based on the evidence that the research results could lead to advances in aspects of environmental, social or economic sustainability within the system that is studied. Example projects could include anything from higher efficiency renewable energy resources to modifying pro-environmental behavior.

To participate, your abstract and poster must have a section explicitly describing the relationship between the outcomes of your research and eventual application to improve sustainability. Both basic discovery-based research and applied projects are welcome. Questions can be addressed to Andrea Ferro , ISE aferro@clarkson.edu

Commercializing Technology Prize Information (Poster Session Only)

The Shipley Center for Innovation will acknowledge student research that has significant commercialization potential.  Projects from all disciplines are eligible for this opportunity.  

The First Place award-winning poster and several Honorable Mentions will be selected based on evidence that the research results could be translated into a significant commercial opportunity. To demonstrate such an opportunity, you should (1) describe the existing industry or societal problem (or opportunity) that is being addressed by your research, (2) describe the way in which your research is addressing this problem or opportunity, (3) describe and estimate the number of potential customers, and (4) articulate at least one value proposition.

Both basic discovery-based projects and applied projects are welcome.  Questions can be addressed to Jamey Hoose, Director of the Shipley Center (jhoose@clarkson.edu).