The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will welcome 155 students and faculty from 21 institutions across five states for the Midwest Instruction and Computing Symposium (MICS), according to a March 24 announcement. The event will feature workshops, seminars, presentations, and competitions focused on collaboration and education in computing.
The symposium is significant because it brings together participants from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota to share research and innovative ideas in computer science. The event aims to foster both academic growth and professional connections among students.
Dr. Benjamin Fine, associate professor of computer science at UW-Eau Claire and an organizer of this year’s event, said: “What’s cool about having it here is the ability to have more of our students feel that excitement. This is like Celebration of Excellence in Research and Creative Activity for our students, but it’s regional.” Fine also highlighted the importance of student-based research: “Getting a publication out is always nice if you’re going into grad school. It gets that one feather in your cap,” he said. “And even if you’re not going into research or grad school, getting exposed to other students from other curriculums, from other degrees, you never know what connections are going to play a role down the line.”
Gale, a fourth-year computer science major who previously served two decades in the Navy before enrolling at UW-Eau Claire, reflected on attending MICS three times: “I’m looking forward to seeing how we do,” Gale said. “It’s neat to see all the other ideas and how people accomplish the task.” He added that he appreciates seeing ongoing research evolve each year: “Some people continue previous people’s research, keep it growing,” he said.
Dr. Jim Seliya, associate professor of computer science who has attended three MICS events before this one at UW-Eau Claire, explained that hands-on experiences set MICS apart: “Students get a firsthand experience whether they’re building their own robot or just seeing how students come up with their own innovative ideas,” Seliya said.
According to the official website of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire the university supports a prominent Blugold Marching Band recognized as one of the most active in the Midwest as well as contributing through collaborations that benefit Wisconsin’s culture and economy. The campus features shared facilities with Mayo Clinic Health System, national recognition for quality education and partnerships promoting health sciences initiatives. The university also emphasizes critical-thinking skills and career-focused opportunities for its students.
Fine concluded by sharing his perspective on learning at such events: “This book gets filled up with more questions than answers every time I go,” Fine said while holding his notebook.
