Worcester State University came alive on Wednesday, April 22, as students, faculty, and families gathered for the annual Scholarship and Creativity Day, showcasing the depth and diversity of student research across disciplines.
From oral presentations and poster sessions to film screenings and creative performances, the day highlighted work spanning topics like artificial intelligence literacy, student-athlete nutrition, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s nice to talk to people about what I’ve been learning in a space where people want to hear about it,” said senior psychology major Lauren Horowitz, who presented findings from her research on artificial intelligence literacy. Her project examined how different types of language—technical versus human-like—shape people’s understanding of and trust in AI.
“We found that understanding overall has increased significantly, and trust overall has decreased significantly,” Horowitz said. “That was surprising, because most times the more people know about technology, the more they trust it.”
Emma Heintz, a senior double majoring in nursing and public health, recruited fellow Lancers for her study examining nutrition knowledge among Division III soccer players at Worcester State.
Her findings revealed significant gaps in understanding, particularly around carbohydrate intake and hydration—key components of athletic performance and injury prevention.
“Across the board, participants didn’t understand how to properly fuel themselves for performance and long-term health,” Heintz said.
Looking ahead, Heintz plans to expand the reach of her research by sharing findings with student-athletes across campus. “It’s sort of a way to give back,” she said. “We appreciate the time participants gave us, and this helps support them moving forward.”
Faculty members also played an active role in the day’s events, serving as mentors, audience members, and evaluators. Dr. Brad Harris, who teaches in the Worcester State biology department, participated as a poster judge.
“I go talk to the students who did the research, listen to their presentation, and assess their work,” Harris explained. “So far, I’ve been really impressed—the quality of both the posters and the students’ presentation skills has been very high.”
Beyond recognizing academic excellence, Harris emphasized the event’s role in strengthening connections across campus.
“These events are really important for building community within the school,” he said. “We’re interacting with students in a different way—not in a classroom setting. They’re teaching us now, and that creates a meaningful connection.”
Associate Provost Henry Theriault noted this year’s event was exceptional for its breadth of research, even among the two decades of outstanding celebrations.
“We had the highest participation level in my nine years coordinating the celebration and one of the greatest varieties of presentations, ranging from sophisticated analyses of special chemical molecules in a faraway nebula to an exhibition of original artwork conveying the complex meaning of womanhood,” he said.“Seeing the impressive results of students working with dedicated faculty members on independent projects reminds us all why we do the work we do.“In an era in which higher education is often undervalued, seeing what students can achieve as part of a university education is especially powerful.”
