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A group of students from the Outdoor Leadership and Education major within the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education recently attended the national research symposium.

The symposium involved presentations from academics and practitioners from across the country. Two of the ���ϲ����� students also presented their undergraduate research.

“I learned truly how applicable outdoor education and experiential education can be incorporated into our lives,” said Calista Quirk ’26, who presented her research titled “Exploring Gender Boundaries in College and University Outdoor Education Programs Across North Carolina.” “I felt unbelievably empowered by how much research can impact a group of people. I truly learned how much of an impact I can have as a single person with a passion for what I do every day.”

Adam Arno ’26 presented research titled ‘Beyond Entertainment: Exploring Humor as a Response to Stress in Outdoor Education Programming.” Arno shared that the experience “gave me a first look into the potential for outdoor education research. It was a special opportunity to present my undergraduate research in front of top names in the field. It also was a chance to get my name out into the world as someone interested in pushing forward research in experiential education.”

While at the conference, students attended sessions and networked with faculty and undergraduates. Sessions challenged them to broaden their view of outdoor experiential education and consider how data and assessment can inform program practice.

Leah Brooker ’27 said that the conference “inspired me to continue asking questions about outdoor education practices, how they can impact others, and how their value can be integrated into a multitude of different disciplines. I learned that the field is multifaceted, ever-evolving, and making exciting advancements toward helping others recognize its importance. This experience motivated me to dive deeper into my undergraduate research.”