Campus Gathers to Celebrate Student Work at FYS Showcase

During the third annual Elmira College First Year Seminar Showcase, Piper Thompson ’29, a Biology major, sat at a table in the Elmira College Campus Center near the IDEA Center. In front of her, a bright presentation titled “How Music Affects the Mind” displayed on her laptop. When Jennifer Swain, Vice President of Communications and Marketing, asked Thompson to share what she learned in The Music of Your Life course, Thompson spoke clearly, although a bit nervously, about the information on her slides.

Despite being unsure at times and stuttering a little, it was obvious Thompson was interested in the topic.

“I listen to music every day,” she shared. “It helps me with studying and with playing hockey.”

Sitting next to Thompson, Rian Comeau ’29, developed a presentation about the effect music has on movies. She similarly enjoyed getting a deeper understanding of how powerful music can be.

“I learned about the history of music and the many genres there are and how music affects things,” she shared.

These formal yet relaxed interactions, where first-year students were encouraged to practice their public speaking skills, are what the Showcase organizers wanted to see.

The organizers hope this introduction will build a foundation for students who, as they progress through college, will further practice and refine their ability to present in public settings, including at academic and professional conferences.

“This event is all about community and communication,” said Adam Giambrone, Associate Professor of Mathematics and Director of First Year Seminar. “Students were able to spend time with their classmates before the holidays while also getting some practice presenting their own work to the EC community.”

When students weren’t presenting, they were exploring. They checked out the poster presentations, artwork, videos, and models put together by students from the other FYS courses.

For example, attendees could head to Basel Lounge to talk with the students in the Animating the World of Myth course about the short animated film they put together. Or, attendees could go to the George Waters Art Gallery to talk with the Art, Design, and Environment course students about their endangered-animal wood engravings and other environmentally themed artwork.

Students in the CSI: EC course displayed posters about famous criminals and crime-scene dioramas in Tifft Lounge. One student showed attendees how forensic scientists recover fingerprints at a crime scene.

At the same time, attendees could chat with the students in the Dungeons and Dorms course who had large, creative displays that demonstrated their game-making skills. One such group from the Dungeons and Dorms course shared how the creative storytelling games they learned about and played in class taught them helpful skills important to their academic success.

“We learned time management with our projects,” said Isabella Zurlo ’29. “We also learned about how to annotate texts we read for class.”

Beyond the specific and practical skills they learned, the students said they learned creative thinking and problem-solving.

“I had played Dungeons and Dragons before the course, but I didn’t find the game scenarios creative,” said Braeden Avernathy ’29. “What we did in class was creative. I had to figure out how to solve the situations we were in. In college, you also have to figure your way through difficult situations.”

And, most importantly to the Dungeons and Dorms students, the course helped them find people with similar interests. They all felt the best part was making friends.

They weren’t alone. Thompson and Comeau felt the same.

“I learned about my classmates and made friends in this class,” shared Thompson. “That will be really helpful over the next four years.”

Together, the projects and conversations showcased how the First Year Seminar experience helps students find their voice, their interests, and their place within the Elmira College community.