On April 19–22, eight Skyline College students traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to attend the Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM, accompanied by physics professor Dr. Polin Yadak and MESA Co-Director and math professor Denise Hum. Over three days, students engaged in research presentations, connected with peers and graduate programs from across the country, and experienced the broader STEM community beyond the classroom.
Several Skyline students presented their own research, gaining valuable experience communicating their work and receiving feedback from judges and fellow researchers. Mechanical engineering major Aaron Torres Mendoza, who presented “Cosmic Watch Balloon Flight Stabilization,” reflected on the experience, “During the conference, I had the opportunity to network with students and ask them questions. I gained great feedback from STEM judges, and I left with a greater sense of confidence and belonging in STEM.”
For many students, presenting was both challenging and transformative. Ariana Cerna shared, “From this experience, I learned how to address difficult questions while presenting my poster… My biggest takeaway wasn’t only meeting new people but the support from everyone who saw me nervous and assured me throughout the conference.”
Students also explored possible future pathways through conversations with other students. Electrical engineering major Haythi Naing noted, “It was very insightful hearing about experiences from my peers,” especially when discussing potential graduate study options. Similarly, math major Melissa Gonzalez reflected on the broader impact of the conference: “I realized that a lot of us may be a little lost at first, but there are so many resources to succeed in STEM.”
For data science major Noel Amankrah-Bonsu, the experience provided insight into the research process itself. “I was able to learn that there is a lot of trial and error that goes into research projects… (and) how to be confident in your research and articulate how it is beneficial.” Computer science major Qian Zhao emphasized a key lesson in research mindset: “I learned that completion is more important than perfection – finishing a project first, then making improvements.”
Students also developed skills in communicating complex ideas to broader audiences. Samanta Chang Kuoman, who earned second place in the Undergraduate Physics Poster Competition, shared, “I learned how important it is to deliver your project in simple words for the general public.” Yuliia Nazarko described presenting to a professional audience as a pivotal moment. “It gave me my first real sense of what the research community is like… I learned how to present my project so it’s informative and engaging.”
Beyond presentations, students built connections, exchanged ideas, and explored Atlanta’s cultural landmarks, including the Sweet Auburn district, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, and Centennial Olympic Park. These shared experiences helped strengthen community among the group while broadening their perspectives.
Reflecting on the trip, Dr. Polin Yadak shared, I learned young minds can think of and do great things. I met a judge on the last day, and she said that judging so many great projects and selecting only 5 was the hardest thing she had ever done in her life. My big takeaway was that these wonderful students assured me that the future of the country and the world is very bright.”
Opportunities like ERN allow Skyline students to see themselves as contributors to the STEM community—not just learners, but researchers, presenters, and future innovators.
To learn more about or apply for the Skyline College MESA program, please visit www.skylinecollege.edu/mesa or email skymesa@smccd.edu.
