In 2010, when UNBC President George Iwama put forth a vision in his Strategic Plan for the development of experiential learning (the process of making meaning from direct experience or “learning from experience”) at the University, UNBC had already built a reputation for small class sizes, a welcoming learning environment, and numerous opportunities for undergraduate research.

Following Dr. Iwama’s lead, UNBC’s Office of Research pushed forward the Undergraduate Research Experience Awards in September 2011, in large part to strengthen research collaboration between professors and their students. A student and her professor can work on a research proposal for the award, 20 of which are presented per year, each with a cash value of $1500. Successful applicants will then gain valuable experience working on the project with their professor.

“Experiential learning happens really any time or place learning is done outside of the four walls of the classroom,” says William Owen, the Director of the Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Technology at UNBC. “The wealth of research and experiential learning opportunities for undergraduates is one of defining characteristics of our University. Field schools tend to be a high-profile part of that.” Last summer, UNBC’s archaeological field school to Calvert Island made national headlines for uncovering the remains of the oldest known village in British Columbia.

UNBC Anthropology professor Angèle Smith says the awards complement the opportunities for experiential learning provided through field schools at the University, including UNBC’s first-ever interdisciplinary field school that Dr. Smith led last year with Political Science professor Gary Wilson to Ireland and the Isle of Man.

“We had 11 students with us, two of whom , Krista Voogd and Danny Bell, later received URE Awards for research projects that directly resulted from their experiences studying issues of globalization, culture and the politics of identity in these Celtic countries” says Dr. Smith, who adds there will be another field school to Ireland and the Isle of Man in 2013. “What’s more, a number of students decided they wanted to move on to graduate school because of the experience.”

One of the URE award-winning students who accompanied Dr. Smith on the field school was Krista Voogd of Terrace, BC. “The field school to Ireland was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had, and the URE Award has played an important role in setting me up for my future academic goals,” says Voogd, who has received a number of student awards and bursaries including the Kenneth Wong Memorial Scholarship. “After graduating, I plan on entering the Interdisciplinary Masters program at UNBC. The URE Award allowed me to gain firsthand experience in the research process that many undergraduates do not get until they enter a master’s program.”

Since 2009, UNBC has participated in an increasing number of field schools to locations including Guatemala, Antarctica, China, South Africa, Panama, and Russia. In 2012, there are plans for field schools to Russia and Peru.

The winners of the first-ever Undergraduate Research Experience Awards will be on display in the Bentley Centre at UNBC’s Prince George campus from 1pm to 2pm on April 4.

Media Download

Click on a thumbnail to access a high resolution image.

The work of the winners of the first-ever Undergraduate Research Experience Awards will be on display in the Bentley Centre at UNBC’s Prince George campus from 1pm to 2pm on April 4. 

Participants in UNBC's first-ever interdisciplinary field school to Ireland and the Isle of Man back home at the University, including URE winners Krista Voogd and Danny Bell (top left) and professors Angele Smith and Gary Wilson (top right).

The field school on location in Ireland hoisting a popular local refreshment.