Science and Math Showcase
Saturday, April 12, 2025
9:00am-3:00pm on the Cal State Long Beach campus (for Day at The Beach)
10:00am-2:00pm in Hall of Science (HSCI) (for Science and Math Showcase)
Reserve Your Spot!
Please RSVP with Day at The Beach to attend the campus-wide event.
No additional RSVP is required to attend the Science and Math Showcase.
About the Showcase
The Science and Math Showcase is a FREE event for Fall 2025 first-time, first-year and transfer students admitted to the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (CNSM) at Cal State Long Beach.
The Showcase is part of a larger campus-wide event called Day at The Beach and aims to give admitted students and their families an in-depth look at the academic experience within our college. Participants can meet with faculty and current students, and learn more about academic departments, degree programs, and class experiences. This is an open house experience and is not considered an official orientation.
Additional details will be posted as they become available.
Science and Math Showcase Agenda
Please note this is a tentative agenda and may change. The following is the schedule for the CNSM college-specific showcase. All of the following events are in the Hall of Science (HSCI) building unless otherwise noted.
For activities that have multiple sessions, the information in each session will be the same. For activities that require sign up, you will sign up in person at the Science and Math Showcase event.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00am-10:00am | Welcome Ceremony for students and families (session 1 at Walter Pyramid) |
| 9:00am-3:00pm | Resource Fair (at Speakers Platform, Upper Campus Quad) |
| 10:00am-2:00pm | Meet the CNSM Departments and Programs
|
| 10:30am-11:00am | CNSM Presentations (session 1)
|
| 11:00am-11:30am | CNSM Student Research Ambassadors Panel (this requires sign up in person) |
| 11:00am-2:00pm | CNSM Lab Exhibits and Open Houses
|
| 11:00am-2:00pm | Biology Labs and Classroom Tours
|
| 11:30am-12:00pm | CNSM Research and Teaching Tours
|
| 12:00pm-1:00pm | Welcome Ceremony for students and families (session 2 at Walter Pyramid) |
| 1:30pm-2:00pm | CNSM Presentations (session 2)
|
| 2:00pm | End of Science and Math Showcase |
| 3:00pm | End of Day at The Beach |
On this page:
- Meet the Departments and Programs
- Presentations
- Student Research Ambassadors Panel
- Lab Exhibits and Open Houses
- Biology Labs and Classroom Tour
- Research and Teaching Tours
Meet the Departments and Programs
10:00am-2:00pm
All 7 of our CNSM Departments and Programs will be available to answer your questions and help you learn more about the programs they offer. You can expect to meet representatives from the following departments:
- Biological Sciences
- Chemistry & Biochemistry
- Earth Science
- Environmental Science & Policy
- Mathematics & Statistics
- Physics & Astronomy
- Science Education
Presentations
Find out more about the following services that we offer.
Health Professions Presentation
10:30am-11:00am & 1:30pm-2:00pm
This activity requires sign up in person at the event.
The Health Professions Advising Office assist students across campus who are interested in pursuing health professions after they graduate. During this session, you'll learn about how students can best prepare for a successful career in the medical field and which resources are available to you as you navigate prerequisites and applications for pre-professional schools.
This presentation will be facilitated by Dr. Thomas Mast, Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences and Health Professional Advising Coordinator.
First-Time, First-Year (FTFY) Student Panel
10:30am-11:00am & 1:30pm-2:00pm
This activity requires sign up in person at the event.
Hear from first-time, first-year CNSM students who were in your shoes not too long ago! During this session you'll learn all about the transition from high school to college, how to get involved on campus, and what to expect as a STEM student at CSULB.
This panel will be moderated by Dr. Shannon Durbin, Coordinator of Academic Advising for the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Parent and Family Workshop
10:30am-11:00am & 1:30pm-2:00pm
This activity requires sign up in person at the event.
All CNSM parents and family members are welcome to join us to learn about campus experiences, safety, and resources that are available to all CSULB students. This session will include a short presentation followed by a Q&A session.
The presentation will be facilitated by Sergio Temores, Coordinator of Peer Learning.
Student Research Ambassadors Panel
11:00am-11:30am
This activity requires sign up in person at the event.
Meet current CNSM students at CSU Long Beach, and hear about their experience as undergraduate student researchers.
Lab Exhibitions and Open Houses
11:00am-2:00pm
Experience the following research labs and academic spaces.
CNSM Research Corner
Meet with faculty and staff representatives from the Honors program, U-RISE program, McNair's Scholars program, and more. These programs support our students in excellence in academic and research endeavors with guidance, training, and funding opportunities.
Vertebrate Collections Exhibit
Browse through our extensive biological collections of preserved skins, skulls, and skeletons. Presented by Dr. Ted Stankowich, professor in the Biological Sciences Department.
Science Learning Center
Explore the Science Learning Center (SLC), a unique learning space located on campus. The SLC seeks to provide exceptional learning experiences for both local K-8 youth as well as the students of CSULB through exhibits and activities that encourage questioning and hands-on investigation.
Shark Lab
This activity requires sign up. You can sign up for this at the event.
Check out some of the technology that the Shark Lab uses to track shark migration and monitor behaviors.
Marine Lab
Tour through the Marine Lab's touch tanks for a close experience with some marine animals.
Plant Exhibit
Learn about the numerous rare plants, unique plants, and native plants that we study here at The Beach.
Biology Labs and Classroom Tours
Undergraduate students at CSU Long Beach gain access to opportunities for hands-on, active participation in research labs and classroom labs.
Environmental Toxicology Lab with Dr. Erika Holland
Chat with Dr. Erika Holland, associate professor in the Biological Sciences Department. Her area of research is Environmental Toxicology, the study of the harmful effects of various chemical, biological and physical agents on living organisms.
Dr. Holland's lab, the "Tox Lab," is interested in understanding the impact of pollutants, alone or in a mixture, on organisms. The lab mainly focuses on organisms in aquatic environments and assess impacts using tools at the receptor, cellular and whole organism level. The Tox Lab also aims to document the source and levels of specific pollutants as an important first step in understanding environmental concern.
Come and find out what it would be like to be a student in this lab!
Plant Genetics Lab with Dr. Judy Brusslan
Chat with Dr. Judy Brusslan, professor in the Biological Sciences Department. Her area of research is Plant Genetics, the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity specifically in plants.
The Brusslan Lab is interested in the early events that regulate leaf senescence. Leaf senescence is the regulated break down of proteins and chlorophyll that occurs in older leaves and the subsequent export of these nutrients to growing and storage tissue. Understanding and optimizing nutrient recycling during leaf senescence could reduce the use of polluting and energy-intensive fertilizers.
Come and find out what it would be like to be a student in this lab!
Molecular Cell Biology Classroom with Dr. Ilva Cabrera
Chat with Dr. Ilva Cabrera, lecturer in the Biological Sciences Department. Dr. Cabrera teaches BIOL 440L - Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory.
BIOL 440L is an intensive course of modern laboratory techniques that are used in both cell and molecular biology. Topics covered in the course include tissue culture, genomics, bioinformatics, proteomics, microscopy, and/or purification and functional characterization of recombinant proteins. This course provides extensive laboratory experience for students.
Come and find out what it would be like to be a student in this course!
Research and Teaching Tours
11:30am-12:00pm
Take a faculty-guided tour of the following undergraduate research labs and teaching labs on campus.
Chemistry Tour
Led by Dr. Jason Schwans, Dr. Fangyuan Tian, and Dr. Julie Wahlman.
Earth Science Tour
Led by Dr. Lora Stevens.
Mathematics and Statistics Tour
Led by Dr. Kathryn McCormick and Dr. Ryan Blair.
Physics and Astronomy Tour
Led by Dr. Prashanth Jaikumar.
Before the Event - Explore
Your college experience will be more than just going to class. Before coming to the event, we encourage you to explore the opportunities available at Cal State Long Beach, where you will be able to immerse yourself in faculty-mentored research, join other students in clubs and organizations, and much more.
Virtual Tour
Find out what life is like on campus, and what science and math students can experience in the classroom, in the lab, and in the field with our virtual tour.
Academic Departments and Programs
Learn more about the science and math that we do at Cal State Long Beach:
VIDEO: More Than A University
VIDEO: Explore Biology at CSU Long Beach
VIDEO: Marine Biology at CSU Long Beach
VIDEO: Explore Chemistry at CSU Long Beach
VIDEO: Explore Math at CSU Long Beach
VIDEO: Explore Physics at CSU Long Beach
VIDEO: CSULB Science Teaching Credential
Find out more about what each department has to offer:
- Explore Biology
- Explore Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Explore Earth Science
- Explore Environmental Science and Policy
- Explore Math and Statistics
- Explore Physics and Astronomy
- Explore Science Teaching
Research Opportunities
Cal State Long Beach is unique in that it gives you access as early as your first year to student research experiences, volunteer opportunities, and student research symposiums so that you can be at the forefront of new science and math discoveries.
Learn more about some of our research labs:
Beach XP Learning Communities
The Science and Math Beach XP program is designed to support CNSM students navigate through their college transition, build a community among their peers, and promote academic success. The Beach XP, short for Beach Experience, is a program for incoming first-time first year students that aims to establish peer networks, enhance learning, build career connections, and cultivate community through friendship and fun.
Students enrolled in Beach XP meet with the same peers each week for designated courses that count toward their general education or major-specific requirements. The Beach XP program learning communities are designed to create connections and support our students' educational goals, bringing important opportunities and resources directly to them.
Student Clubs and Organizations
Students can network professionally, prepare for their careers, explore interests, and connect to the community through various student clubs and organizations. Ranging from pre-professional organizations like the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, to service organizations like Medlife, to social clubs, there is a wide array of involvement opportunities at Cal State Long Beach for science and math students.
CSULB Events & Orgs is the official home for websites of student clubs and organizations. You can see a list by going to "Organizations" and selecting a category; the Academic: Science & Mathematics and Career & Professional Development categories are particularly useful for science and math students.
After the Event - Next Steps
We hope that we can show you that The Beach is the place to be!
If you are ready to commit to Cal State Long Beach, here are the next steps to take:
We look forward to seeing you on campus!
