SACNAS students show points of trip

Correction: Dr. Alex Filippenko is an astrophysicist.

Astrologist Alex Filippenko, winner of a Nobel Prize in physics, as part of the 2011 SACNAS national conference in San Jose, Calif., was the highlight of a five-day trip for geophysics sophomore Kristi Funari.

The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science embarked on a trip to San Jose, Calif., Oct. 27- 30.

The 10 students made a presentation at a meeting of the organization Wednesday as part of the requirement for using funds from the student activity fee committee.

On the first day of the trip, the 10 students were divided into two groups of five and visited separate colleges. Astronomy Professor Alfred Alaniz said this college limits the number of students to 10 who can travel with one adviser.

The first group toured the University of California at Berkeley and met Filippenko, who spoke to the students about a career in astronomy.

The second group toured Stanford University where they met professors who talked to them about creating better research.

Physics freshman Nick Herrera said that a machine that reads infrared emissions of their faces created their IDs by drawing the pattern onto a card.

The group was sent on a scavenger hunt to find 30 items with signatures from other people on campus and won an iPod shuffle and a Stanford hoodie.

On the last day of their trips, students received help in planning to transfer to the universities.

Herrera said that professors at the conference helped students who did research during summer internships before the conference.

"When you present research, they give you tips on what you did wrong and how to make it better," he said.

Alaniz said that the goal of the conference is to allow students the opportunity to improve their summer research.

After the trip, neuroscience sophomore Lindsey Villarreal said she changed her major from behavioral science after learning how much fun research at a university can be.

At the end of the presentation, the 10 students encouraged those present to be more involved in SACNAS.

The society has been selling tacos in the mall and raised about $800, which contributed to the costs.

The trip cost $800 per person.

Alanis said one student paid her own way because she did not register in time to qualify for student life funds.

The Mathematics, Engineering and Technology Award scholarship covered the trip for four students under the scholarship and one student used funds from a math scholarship.

Bigelow said student life awarded the society $6,500, of which only $6,276.01 was used.

"They're pumped," Alaniz said. "They're excited about their careers now."

Mark Bigelow, assistant coordinator of student leadership and activities, agreed they got a lot out of the experience.

"It was nice to see them bring back that knowledge," he said. "I'm glad to know that there are scholarships out there."

SACNAS President Melody Packard said that a binder listing paid summer internships will be available to any students this week in the MESA center in Room 204 of Chance Academic Center.

The society meetings are open to all students 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the MESA center.

The first two meetings in the spring will be workshops to help students fill out applications to universities.

For more information on SACNAS, contact Alaniz at 210-486-0060.