Presentation Day

On 3/21, I presented my Honors in the Major senior thesis at the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) with my professor/mentor, Dr. Rachelle Yankelevitz (Dr. Y). I have been working on every aspect this project since May 2018. There has been countless hours of hard work since starting this and I am so proud that I was able to present this to my peers, professors and other researchers at the conference.

What made this extra special was that my presentation was on World Down syndrome Day. The subject of my research is a 5-year-old from the Hume House with Down syndrome. To show support for the special day, everyone is encouraged to wear “silly socks” and/or wear yellow and blue. Dr. Y and I decided to wear our versions of “silly socks” and put a small sign on the poster about our support for the cause.

  Our “silly socks!”        I wore a pink sock with hearts on it and a Star Wars sock. Dr. Y wore dog socks!

Once we set up the poster, we took our shoes off so everyone passing by could see the socks. It was well received by everyone who stopped by the poster; they would see the sign, look down at our feet and smile or say “good for you.”

  Dr. Y and I in front of my poster.              I got ribbons on my badge that said “First time attendee” and “Poster presenter.”

The session only lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes, which went by fast! I spoke with current UCF psychology students, a researcher who was familiar with video modeling for children with autism, and other Rollins professors who were interested in my project. My main goal was to be able to say what my project was able in the most concise way possible. I reached that goal, as evidenced by the verbal reinforcers of “Very good/that is exactly how to say this” after I spoke with a person. Overall, I had a positive experience presenting my research!

 My poster                      presented at the conference and the sign that referenced our socks.