It’s one thing to know how something works — it’s a whole separate skillset to explain it.

Science-based initiatives in particular can run into this problem, which is why Unity College students will soon present research projects during the college’s signature undergraduate research expo: the biannual Student Conference.

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, students will communicate research findings in environmental sciences and the liberal arts via verbal presentations, posters, videos and even original artwork. Months of information studied in labs, classrooms and local fields, rivers, mountain and streams will be available to any and all who wish to experience their community through a whole new lens.

“In an age of misinformation, we must be able to successfully communicate the sciences if we want to change the world,” Unity College President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury said. “Many of these projects study surrounding communities and could have real practical applications. This is our students’ chance to communicate that. I hope these projects continue to garner local, regional, and even national attention towards the work our students do.”

Previous years conferences have included projects on a wide variety of topics such as beech bark disease in Maine, community based outreach projects, rain and pollinator gardens, reduction of municipal waste, phosphorous inputs into Lake Winnecook, and turbidites effect on fish species diversity.

Student Conference is meant to encourage, promote and recognize all quality academic and professional work among Unity College students; to celebrate excellence; to help build a campus culture that values attention to detail and quality work; to provide a transitional experience into professional and academic communities; and to facilitate program evaluation and community building.

Unity College will host the fall Student Conference at the Unity College Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event is free and the general public is encouraged to attend. All works are judged by college faculty, staff and community partners for selection of several prestigious awards.