Research & Service Leadership Symposium

Research Projects

Any type of research project from any discipline is welcome.  For example, research that you’ve conducted for a research paper in any of your classes (from History to English, etc.) would qualify, as would any project in which you’ve collected original data (from Sociology to Geology to Physics to Art History, etc.).

Service Leadership Projects

We welcome any type of community service, political activism, or environmental justice project in which you are engaged with a community to solve a problem or to provide community enrichment.  The goal of service leadership projects is to become a leader or an engaged member of a community.

Creative Arts Projects

Art in all forms is a vital service for a thriving community. And original, creative work in the arts (from ceramics, to painting, to photography, to poetry, to music, to theater, etc.) are all welcome. These works will be featured in an Arts Gallery, or as performances, with Q&A sessions with the artists!Foothill students and Foothill Faculty and Staff are welcome to apply.  You can apply individually or as a group.

Interested in developing a research, service leadership, or creative art project, but still need to know more? 

Here are some ways to get inspired:

• Start with a class project or a course topic that you want to explore further.
• Connect with other classmates on a shared topic.
• Attend Foothill’s Club Day and join clubs who are engaged in service activities.
• Look for problems in your community that need to be solved.
• Attend the Fall 2023 Workshops to hear ideas, meet others and collaborate.
• Find your voice in art! Use your own creativity to express your views on current social issues.
• Peruse topics and projects from prior symposiums for ideas!

RSLS on Campus and in Zoom!This year the Symposium will be a hybrid event, held on the Foothill  campus and in Zoom.

We will be holding the Symposium on the Foothill main campus this year, with additional Zoom presentations. 

Types of Presentations

On-Campus Presentations:

• • 10-min presentations, demonstrations, or talks.
  • 10-min creative performances

On-Campus Poster & Gallery sessions:

• 2-hour sessions to share informational posters, infographics, or creative artwork and photography with gallery attendees.

Zoom Presentations:

• 10-min "live" Zoom presentations, demonstrations, and performances

More about presentation formats

Judges' Award

Cash prizes of $100 will be awarded to each contributing member of the 5 highest quality/most impactful projects.  Winners will be selected by a committe of faculty, staff and students, based on the submitted application materials and presentation.

Viewers' Choice Award

5 of the most effective presentations/projects will be recognized by the end of the event and awarded a Foothill Bookstore gift certificate. Winners will be selected by audience members and participants through a live poll during the Symposium.