Topic: Research and Creativity

Displaying 1 - 18 of 801

App State researchers partner to strengthen Western NC resilience 2 years post-Helene
Community-informed projects span energy resilience, data coordination, community health and the arts
Sept. 30, 2026
Two years after Hurricane Helene, App State faculty and staff continue leading research to help build long-term resilience for communities across Western North Carolina. Spanning energy systems, data coordination, community health and the arts, these projects aim to deliver real solutions to problems surfaced and made worse by the storm.
App State spotlights research and creative activity driving innovation and community impact
Annual Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian event featured keynote speaker Dr. Martie Thompson
Sept. 15, 2026
App State’s annual Research and Creative Activity at Appalachian event, held Sept. 18 on the Boone campus, showcased a wide variety of research and creative activities by faculty and staff. Dr. Martie Thompson, recipient of this year’s Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity, served as the event’s keynote speaker.
App State Team Sunergy earns historic victory in cross-country solar racing challenge
The team claimed its second first-place finish since 2021 and earned this year’s Practicality Award
Aug. 11, 2026
App State’s Team Sunergy followed a second-place finish at the Electrek Formula Sun Grand Prix with a historic performance at the 2026 Electrek American Solar Challenge, becoming the only team to earn two first-place finishes in the competition’s multi-occupant vehicle category. The team drove nearly 1,830 miles in its new solar car, Autumn, and received the Practicality Award.
Summer Ventures at App State prepares NC high schoolers for future STEM careers
Aug. 3, 2026
Each summer, high school students from across North Carolina become researchers at App State through Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics. Offered at no cost to participants, this state-funded program engages students in hands-on, collaborative research alongside faculty and staff. App State is one of four UNC System schools that host the program.
App State’s Team Sunergy unveils Autumn — its next-gen solar racing vehicle
July 6, 2026
Team Sunergy revealed a lighter, more aerodynamic solar racing vehicle ahead of two key international competitions to take place this summer — the Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge. The July 10 unveiling, held on the Boone campus, gave the public an opportunity to see the new vehicle and interact with the team.
App State Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars aim to boost Western NC cybersecurity, trades workforce
June 23, 2026
From securing small businesses against cyberthreats to building a resilient workforce, App State’s 2026 Chancellor’s Innovation Scholars awards are funding two vital faculty-led projects to support the skilled building trades in Western North Carolina and launch a cybersecurity clinic in Hickory.
App State’s Sheryl Oring documents national, international perspectives on independence
‘Spirit of Independence’ is one of several initiatives honoring America’s 250th anniversary
June 22, 2026
What does independence mean to you? This question is at the heart of “Spirit of Independence” — an interactive performance by App State department chair Sheryl Oring honoring America’s 250th anniversary. To date, the project has archived perspectives from more than 300 national and international participants.
$2.27 billion in statewide energy savings reported at App State’s Appalachian Energy Summit
App State utility savings surpass $100 million since 2002–03
June 18, 2026
At App State’s 2026 Appalachian Energy Summit, state officials announced the UNC System and its partners have avoided $2.27 billion in energy costs since 2002. App State’s portion of these savings was $81.1 million, and the university reduced its energy use per square foot by 51%, surpassing the state’s 2025 goal of 40% for a second consecutive year.
Inspiring future innovators: 400+ middle, high school students explore career paths at App State STEAM Expo
June 3, 2026
Over 400 middle and high school students took part in App State’s STEAM Expo this spring, exploring science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics through hands-on learning and interactive engagement with App State faculty and students. The annual event helps students connect classroom concepts to future academic and career possibilities.
From the field to the fridge: $1.82M NCInnovation grant supports sweetpotato startup at App State
The Rootsii project will turn surplus crops into plant-based foods, opening a new market for NC farmers
May 15, 2026
App State researchers Dr. Brett Taubman and Daniel Parker have secured a $1.82 million NCInnovation grant to turn surplus NC sweetpotatoes into a plant-based milk product line — the first of its kind in the world. Their Rootsii startup tackles agricultural waste while providing 1,800 hours of hands-on research for student innovators.
Record 240 student innovators take center stage at App State’s 29th annual research and creativity showcase
May 7, 2026
A record 240 Mountaineer students showcased their innovation at App State’s 29th Annual Celebration of Research and Creative Endeavors. The event’s poster and oral presentations explored Hurricane Helene’s effects, new construction methods, music therapy for individuals with autism and more.
App State honors faculty research to improve lives and longevity across the region
Drs. Martie Thompson and Jeffrey McBride receive 2026 Chancellor’s and Provost’s Awards
April 30, 2026
App State faculty members Dr. Martie Thompson and Dr. Jeffrey McBride have been honored with 2026 Chancellor’s and Provost’s Awards for their focus on community-and student-involved research that aims to strengthen health and resilience in Western North Carolina. Thompson received the Chancellor’s Award, and McBride is the Provost’s Award winner.
29 Mountaineers honored with 2026 App State Awards of Distinction
Honorees recognized for leadership, teaching, service and more
April 30, 2026
At its fourth annual Awards of Distinction ceremony, App State honored 29 students, faculty and staff for their exemplary contributions to the success of the university and its community members — through leadership, teaching, service and more. The event was held April 28 on the Boone campus.
Hands-on learning and real-world impact: How App State students are transforming early literacy
Early literacy field experience program serves nearly 500 K–3 students in Watauga, Catawba counties
April 20, 2026
Since its launch in fall 2023, App State’s early literacy field experience program has served nearly 500 K–3 students with reading support across Watauga and Catawba counties. The program has also supported nearly 460 App State teacher candidates, who have gained hands-on experience working alongside their literacy professors in local schools.
Precision and purpose: App State industrial design team builds next-generation prosthetics
April 14, 2026
A team of App State industrial design students, led by Department of Applied Design faculty Jimena Vergara-Sanz and Dr. Garner Dewy, is taking a human-centered approach to innovation. Using 3D printing technology, the team is working to design and develop next-generation prosthetic hands that are both accessible and customizable for users.
The rhythm of language: App State student-led music therapy bolsters preschool speech program
April 10, 2026
A new, interdisciplinary partnership at App State is harmonizing health care. The Hayes School of Music and Beaver College of Health Sciences have launched a pilot program this spring that integrates music therapy into the university’s Preschool Language Classroom — using rhythm and song to help strengthen communication and social skills in young children.
App State’s annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors is April 22
Keynote speaker Amelia Bruce Leicht ’19 will share insights from her student research journey
April 9, 2026
Join App State on April 22 for the 29th annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors. Free and open to the public, the event showcases App State student research and creative work across disciplines and the impact of faculty-mentored scholarship. Keynote speaker and alumna Amelia Bruce Leicht ’19 will share how her App State Experience helped launch her career in medical research.
Empowering resilience: App State graduate student creates disaster-ready drinking water system
Bradley Del Vecchio’s design earned him 1st place in App State’s 3MT Competition
April 8, 2026
Leveraging his renewable energy technology studies, App State graduate student Bradley Del Vecchio developed a solar-powered system to provide clean drinking water during natural disasters. Witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Helene inspired his award-winning design, which can produce up to 100 gallons of drinking water per day.