Sneak Peeks

“HUMANIZE”

Thalia Añora
Mentor: Corrie Parks, Visual Arts
Location: FA Building, First Floor Hallway | All Day

This student-led gallery exhibition explores the theme of identity through how art and creative expression can reflect, reclaim, or reinvent a person’s essence — their “humanness.” As students strive to excel in their scholarship and professional careers, they can’t help but feel the pressure of constantly performing. It feels like they lose little bits of themselves while navigating the ever-changing landscape before them, threatening burnout or apathy. From a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, this exhibition contains artwork created within the last three years by 12 undergraduate artists. Including, but not limited to, paintings (acrylic, oil, watercolor), textiles, photography, digital media, mixed media, and small sculptures. Each artwork is paired with a statement from the artist and curator, explaining how their work is reflective of the theme. While the exhibition is on display, students will have the opportunity to participate in open-mics and live performances. Inviting active collaboration towards a shared exhibition that everyone feels invested towards cultivated meaningful connection within our community. Through this multidisciplinary approach to amplify the diverse voices and expressions of our student body, we were able to celebrate our “humanness” as a reflection of our larger UMBC identity.

Taking Back The Piano

Ida Dierker
Mentor:Lisa Cella, Music
Location: UC Ballroom Lounge | 1:40 p.m.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the piano became a symbol of wealth and status, especially within middle and upper-class families. It was marketed to women, reinforcing traditional gender roles and confining them to domestic life. Piano playing, associated with femininity and refinement, was considered the most respectable instrument for women. Rather than fostering creativity, it was often used to control women’s emotions and entertain men, influencing their prospects for marriage. Despite these barriers, women composers like Maria Anna Marrinez, Lilli Boulanger, Clara Schumann, and Florence Price persevered, carving out careers in music composition. While many social barriers have lessened in the 21st century, female composers still face challenges. In response, more women are creating provocative pieces that incorporate diverse cultural styles, extended techniques, and social justice themes. Amplifying these voices is crucial for advancing women’s rights. For my project presentation, I will premiere a section from composer Hanna Moore’s piece “Piano is a Woman.” We will explore the evolution of female expression through the piano, the importance of amplifying lesser-known voices in music, and delve into Moore’s composition.

This work was funded, in part, through an Undergraduate Research Award from the UMBC Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs.

Assessing Campus Vegetation From Above

Paige Fullerton, Brian Hughes, Neil Taylor, Sarah Armstrong, Cheyenne Nickerson
Mentor:Charlie Kaylor, Geography and Environmental Systems
Location: UC Ballroom 1 – 2 p.m.

This presentation will present the method and findings from an ongoing effort by the GES 286 course to gauge the health of campus vegetation. Students collect data necessary to derive the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) by sending tethered weather balloons with a payload of two cameras (one color; the other, infrared) 450 feet above campus to observe vegetation at different locations on the UMBC campus. Results are then georeferenced using Geographic Information Systems to generate the NDVI using “map algebra”. This approach is analogous to imaging techniques used for research and policy purposes, introducing students to the data models and techniques used in remote sensing generally. Ultimately, by imaging repeatedly, we can observe how the overall health of campus vegetation changes seasonally and over time.

The Hitler Youth And Child Indoctrination: An Analysis Of Guilt And Responsibility

Megan Gould
Mentor: Brian Van Wyck, History
Location: UC 312 | 1:40 p.m.

The Hitler Youth was an organization for boys aged 14-18 sponsored by the National Socialist Party in Germany. Eventually coming to replace standard education as the sole legal organization for boys under the Nazi dictatorship, the Hitler Youth indoctrinated a generation of German boys in Nazi ideology. Because ideological indoctrination was a central component of the program for its more than eight million participants, postwar observers and contemporary scholars have debated the question of the responsibility of individual Hitler Youth members for participating in the regime and its crimes as children and young adults. This paper analyzes responses to the Hitler Youth and the question of the individual culpability of participants found in the arguments offered by prosecutors at the Nuremberg Trials, in American newspaper coverage of postwar Germany, and in memoirs written by former Hitler Youth members. The paper argues that these different sources advanced distinctive, often incompatible interpretations of the Hitler Youth that reflected their different purposes, assumptions, and intended audiences. This paper thus demonstrates that the types of sources consulted by scholars structure the conclusions that can be drawn about the individual culpability of Hitler Youth members, challenging the idea of a single response to this question.

Waiting at the Door: Waiting at the Door: A Game About Grief, Growth, and Healing

Olivia Patterson, Aidan Brown, Daryl Colosi, Adith Gunaseelan, Brandon Krupka, Nga Nguyen, Dara Oludare, Jackson Reichardt, Charles Vaudreuil
Mentor: Marc Olano, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Location: UC Ballroom | Time | Video Game

Recognizing that grief is a universal and often overwhelming experience, this video game was created as a safe space where players can confront and understand their own grief through the eyes of a devoted canine. In this 2D platformer, players step into the paws of a loyal dog who is confused when one owner mysteriously does not return home. The narrative unfolds over five thoughtful and artistically driven levels, each representing a distinct stage of grief, where the storyline, enemies, and landscapes vividly capture the emotional essence of each stage of grief. Along the journey, players collect cherished mementos, solve puzzles, overcome obstacles, and confront foes that mirror the struggles of loss. With each level, the dog gains new abilities that symbolize healing and personal growth through the stages of grief, reinforced by emotional flashbacks and memories of happier times. In the culminating stage of acceptance, a heartwarming reunion with the lost owner gives the guiding light ability to symbolize enduring love and acceptance. This game gives players engaging, thoughtful gameplay while emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence, mental health, and the positive impact media such as video games can have on supporting individuals through emotional challenges.

UMBC Multidisciplinary Capstone: Design and Development of an Autonomous Fixed-Wing UAV for Long-Range Payload Delivery

Turibius Rozario, Joseph DeFusco, Adam Miu, Alex Vennos, Sean Stahler, Abby Joseph, Connor Cox, Emily Kosloski
Mentor: Charles LaBerge
Location: UC Ballroom 11 – Noon

A UMBC multidisciplinary capstone team is designing and constructing a fixed-wing UAV. The UAV will carry a 10 lb payload and fly a range of 10 nautical miles at a minimum airspeed of 35 mph. It will be capable of autonomous flight and avoiding hazards. This aircraft is built from 3D printed and hobby-level electronics and software. It will also be capable of transmitting video and maintaining the safety of operators and nearby property. Sub-teams consisting of Computer and Mechanical Engineers have worked collaboratively to complete these tasks. A conventional gasoline-powered airframe with a v-tail minimizes drag while maintaining structural integrity. Remote ID detection, front sensing LiDAR, bottom-mounted LiDAR, and an airspeed sensor are used for UAV and forward obstacle avoidance and autonomous landing. Real-time Kinematic (RTK) GPS is used for centimeter accuracy. Telemetry radios and long range ExpressLRS radio are used to maintain connectivity over long range. A proof-of-concept prototype with a low-cost flight controller has been constructed. Additional tuning, setup of full autonomy, and configuration of video transmission, including lessons learned from the first test flight are yet to be performed.

Mexican Feminist Movements And The Role Of Social Media: Civic Participation And Transnational Solidarity

Allison Smock
Mentor: Thania Munoz Davaslioglu, Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication
Location: UC Ballroom Lounge | 10:20 – 10:35 a.m.

In this presentation I will share how the role of social media has shaped Mexican feminist movements. I will focus on this through an analysis of hashtags, social media presence, and geo mapping tools that have been utilized to spread awareness and objectives of the movements. I will focus specifically on the region of Jalisco due to its interconnections between narco violence and feminicides. Scholars have argued Mexico has four contemporary phases of feminicides. The first one recorded to be from 1993 to the 2000s has been named the “Feminicidial Emergence”, which coincides with this period of increased narco presence. Nonetheless, feminist resistance has continuously found ways to denounce narco gender based violence. In March 8th protests, through the use of hashtags and other identifying factors (colors, symbols), the movement’s objectives can be consolidated and spread. The same day an event happens in Jalisco’s capital there are complementary events in other cities in the state or even other Latinx’s cities, such as Miami or Detroit. This plants the question of how social media can provide and inspire a space for civic participation and engagement across borders.

I am a recipient of a UMBC Travel Award from the UMBC Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs

Multi-Dimensional Mural: A Live Performance of Art, Sound, and Movement

Marelen Soto, David Cobb Jr, Maria Fernanda Diaz Miranda, Justine Gaylord
Mentor: Corrie Parks, Visual Arts
Location: UC Ballroom 2 – 2:30 p.m.

As a fine artist and muralist, I’ve often observed that despite the initial awe and admiration my completed works evoke, those feelings tend to fade from people’s memories quickly. This project aims to elevate static artwork into a dynamic performance that resonates deeply with viewers. By integrating music, movement, and visual art, I hope to foster a shared experience that becomes ingrained in collective memory, enriching our understanding of humanity’s creative expression.

Coming from the Dominican Republic and living in America has shaped my perspective as an Afro-Latina not only through music and art but also socially, politically, culturally, and ethically. This artwork represents not only my own identity but also the world around me. It reflects the ongoing struggles both internal (personal) and external (environmental) that affect my body, mind, and spirit. The selected music serves as an empowering force, connecting me to my roots and driving the emotional rhythm of the performance. My wish is for my art to bring joy and empowerment to communities. A distinctive feature of this work is the live performance, where each piece of animation will be synchronized with the rhythm of the music, creating an interactive, immersive experience.

Resilient Hearts: Literary Portrayals of Lauryn Hill’s Self-Love and Resistance Against Intimate Consequences

Maia Turman Cooke
Mentor: Earl Brooks, English
Location: UC 312 | 10:20 a.m.

This study examines Lauryn Hill’s work through feminist and rhetorical criticism to explore the essential balance African American women maintain to survive—a balance rooted in the interplay of self-advocacy, self-love, and resilience. This is critical because African American women navigate a world that challenges their worth, silences their voices, and tests their endurance. Survival, in this context, means thriving in a society designed to diminish them, all while holding onto their optimism, power, and individuality. Through Hill’s work, this balance becomes a metaphor for a deeper truth: the constant negotiation between speaking out against oppression and nurturing well-being. Hill’s words reflect a path for African American women to simultaneously fight systemic injustices, preserve inner strength, and cultivate spaces of peace and sisterhood. This delicate equilibrium allows for survival that isn’t just reactive but transformative—creating empowerment and fostering love amidst adversity. Further research will go beyond Hill’s work to explore other manifestations of this balance in Black women’s lives. This includes gathering further data to uncover how rhetoric interacts with other factors influencing self-preservation and community care, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of how Black women safeguard their energy, resolve racial trauma, and build lives rooted in self-love and resilience.