The History of the Collegiate Academy

The Oklahoma Collegiate Academy of Science (OCA) began in 1966 as a program for state college scientists and student groups to visit research laboratories. A National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to Dr. J. Teague Self, then executive-secretary of OAS allowed establishment. In 1968, the OAS Executive Council set up a Collegiate Academy Section so undergraduates could present papers be at the fall technical meetings and be awarded a cash prize for the outstanding paper. In 1970, the Collegiate Academy (CA), under the direction of Dr. Gary Wolgamott, became adjunct to the senior Academy with a yearly competition.

During the next fifteen years, the CA met, either with the senior Academy or separately. The number of papers presented by undergraduates varied. Support from the senior Academy was financially minimal, but verbally and time-wise, enthusiastic. After Dr. Wolgamott resigned from the CA directorship, several academy members served as directors including Drs. Frank Wibur, John Korstad, Conrad Kleinholz and Jeff Black.

In 1988, OAS President Mary Carpenter established an ad-hoc Committee to revitalize the CA, partially due to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) providing funds for state CA winners to present their papers nationally at the AAAS meetings in a non-competitive format. This ad-hoc committee recommended: 1) creating a means of disseminating information about research opportunities to interested parties throughout the state; 2) establishing policies that ensure recognition and promotion of undergraduate research; and 3) obtaining funds to promote and encourage undergraduate research in Oklahoma colleges and universities.
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During the next several years, the CA responded these recommendations. A "Collegiate Academy Representative" has been appointed at each college and university in the state. Undergraduate research in Oklahoma has been actively encouraged by the OAS. Finally, there has been an increase in the number of collegiate papers competing for awards at the OAS technical meetings. Most of these papers are presented in senior academy sections though occasionally a separate collegiate section is held at the technical meeting. Two outstanding directors, Drs. William Caire and Leo Finkenbinder, also contributed to the successes of the CA.

Collegiate Academy Director

Dr. Mark Peaden
Rogers State University

Instructions for Oral Presentation

Oral presentations (often referred to as "papers") are highly encouraged by the Academy.  All oral presentations have a 15 minute time limit (including questions).  Check with the appropriate Section Chair if you have questions.

The Academy awards the best undergraduate paper presentation in each section and best overall paper.  While individual sections may differ in the type of recognition, all section awardees receive a certificate and free annual membership to OAS.  Additionally, the Academy awards the best overall graduate paper presentation.  Sample judging forms for the undergraduate and graduate paper presentations can be found on the Archives page.

Instructions for Poster Presentation

A poster is a vigorous hybrid of a scholarly paper and a museum exhibit. As with a paper, a poster is built around a solid idea. Like an exhibit, a poster is primarily a visual experience. The key to constructing a good poster is to present a strong argument mostly in visual terms.

The poster should include the following: title (including authors and addresses), abstract, introduction, purpose, results, discussion, and conclusion. Lettering should be large and legible. The overall poster size should not exceed 36" x 48"
Note: These instructions conform to the guidelines for posters provided to Oklahoma Research Day participants.  

Posters should be displayed prior to the start of the poster session. Student poster competitors should stand by their posters during the judging period (time to be announced in the Meeting Program).

The Academy awards the best overall poster presentation.  Recipients of this award receive a certificate and free annual membership to OAS.  Sample judging forms for the undergraduate poster presentations can be found on the Archives page.

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Dr. Mark Peaden (Rogers State University) serves as OAS Collegiate Academy Director, and oversees the student poster judging.