EE Research Expo Reflective Report

Overview of the Event

The Research Expo was held at the New EE Building in Bicol University College of Engineering on March 11, 2022 at 1pm to 5 pm; and again at March 16, 2022 9am onwards. It served as a stage wherein the students could proudly present the results of their hard work in the studies they have respectively conducted. The opening program was conducted with the Dean of the College of Engineering, the judges who will be judging the researches, and the recent passers of the Registered Electrical Engineering and Registered Master Electrician Licensure Board Exams. After the opening program, the research expo was underway with the researchers each presenting their study and device to the judges who will decide the best research and research poster with the given criteria during the opening program.

What have you learned

From the experience of this research expo, I have personally learned to speak to a large group and present in an understandable and organized way. Though I may not have presented our study perfectly, I believe I have done well to do so and will be better at doing it in future endeavors. I have also learned a lot from our fellow students and researchers, by observing their respective studies as well as how they presented them. I was exposed to different types of studies and devices wherein I was amazed by their thinking and creativity in order to come up with unorthodox solutions to problems encountered in this era. All in all, this research expo has definitely given me a memorable and useful experience that will lead to my growth and improvement in the future.

Outcomes gained from the Activity

As said earlier, I have gained a lot of new knowledge and useful experience through this event as well as new ideas and concepts on how I will be able to solve problems through research in the future. The most important outcome for me is that we all got to present our devices and studies that we have definitely worked hard on and devoted ourselves to. Sweat, blood, and tears were shed for the completion of each and everyone’s studies, so this activity became a rewarding and joyous experience because of the satisfaction it gave to the students.

The students also had the chance to familiarize themselves with their fellow researchers’ work and they were able to gather information and knowledge about the said studies in order to gain new ideas as well as avoiding the possibility of replicating the same study in the future.

All in all, the event was successful in show casing the fruits of labor of each student as well as giving them an unforgettable experience about the world of research.

Photo Documentation / Proof of Attendance

Highlights / Best Part of Activity

The highlights of the activity are the opening program, the speeches of the Dean of College of Engineering and the judges, presentation of passers and topnotchers, presentation of the board of judges, and the research expo proper.

One of the best parts of the activity for me is when I had the chance to present to the judges our research. Even though I did not show it, I had a sense of pride and accomplishment because we had worked hard on our project: had sleepless nights, exhausting days, tears of disappointment, and a lot more. Looking back, I could not have imagined being there in that moment, presenting our device and study. Yet I was. And I was just grateful to God for helping us get there.

Another best part for me was when we had the chance to talk with the recent topnotcher in 8th place, our senior and Kuya, now Engr. Mark Kevin De Vera. I was so happy to see him with the appreciation and recognition given to him, which I knew he very much deserved. I remembered when we were only freshmen, he was the one who gave time and effort to tutor us in Differential Calculus in his free time. I would be always grateful for him. We listened to his advice and recommendations about taking the Board Exams, and of course we listened carefully.

The activity was definitely a great experience and I hope in the future I will be able to attend more.

What could have been done to improve it

Although the event was successful, of course there were aspects of the activity that were not quite satisfactory and would need improvement should they be given the chance to conduct it again.

The first aspect that I believe needs improvement is the timeliness in which the event was conducted. The event did not start on the said time that it was supposed to. The first assigned time was 9:00 am. I had woken up early and went there before the said time but it turned out that the event will start in the afternoon at 1:30 pm. Then at 1:30 pm, the event still had not started. I understand that this was because of the judges schedules, but I believe this can be improved.

Another aspect which can be improved is the audiovisuals of the event during the opening program. During the opening program, the microphone had the tendency to be grounded and proved to be a nuisance during the program. The people who were to speak had to repeat what they said and adjust their volume according to whether the microphone was working or not. This caused delay of the program.

I think another aspect that could have been improved was the ventilation. During the event, it was really hot and as a result, the students as well as the judges became uncomfortable, due to sweating and the like, as the expo proceeded.

All in all there were aspects that needed to be improved, but of course, the event was still successful and I personally, was satisfied and happy with the event.