Sidewalk Symposium

The sign-up form asks students for the following information and sends project mentors email notifications inviting them to review submissions—and contact UROP as needed.

Student's Information

• Preferred First and Last Name
• CU Boulder Email
• Estimated Arrival Time (e.g. 9:00 am)
• Will other students work with you? If so, provide full names in the space provided.

Project Information

• Project Title
• 150 Word Maximum: Describe your role in this project and explain when the project took place (or note if your work is ongoing).
• Did the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provide funding to support this project?

Project Mentor's Information

• Preferred First and Last Name
• Department or Program
• CU Boulder Email

Liability Waiver

I exercise my own free and voluntary choice to participate in the designated activity. I understand and assume all associated risks of the designated activity. Despite careful and proper preparation, instruction, medical advice, conditioning and equipment, there is still a risk of serious injury when participating in any activity/program. Understandably, not all hazards and dangers can be foreseen. Participants in a CU sponsored program must understand that depending upon the particular activity may include but not limited to: dangers and injuries due to natural occurrences beyond human control or influence, exposures to community spread illnesses or diseases, trips, falls, sprains, strains, contusions, lacerations, fractures, broken bones, paralysis, concussions, and all other circumstances inherent to these activities. Use of a privately-owned vehicle, including the operation or as a passenger, may be an option while participating in the off-campus trip activity. The University of Colorado does not provide liability or physical damage insurance coverage on privately owned vehicles. The vehicle owner must provide the liability and physical damage insurance coverage for a privately owned vehicle. The University of Colorado does not provide health insurance for individuals participating in activities made available or sponsored by the University of Colorado. As such, you or your personal health insurance will be responsible for payment of medical services and care for any injuries sustained during the designated activity.

Contact us if you have questions or experience issues submitting the form.

• CU Boulder undergraduates engaged in campus research and creative projects are encouraged to participate.
• Participants must be working (or completed work) under the supervision of a CU Boulder faculty or staff mentor.
• UROP funding is not required to participate. Students may participate as a group and should submit the application form once (with all students named).

Event staff will be on-hand from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and participants may choose to create and share their chalk art any time throughout the event.  UROP encourages participants to

• Plan ahead by sketching your ideas on paper.
• Start early and allow time to talk with visitors.
• Consider breaking up your time to work around class schedules.
• Recruit friends and mentors to help.
• Keep your design simple if you have limited time.

You may bring your own chalk, but UROP will provide supplies for you.  Though we can't guarantee that we'll have enough of the color(s) you intend for your design, we have a wide range of traditional "sidewalk chalk" and soft pastels—and a few blending tools, such as sponges.  We also have gloves, hand wipes and other cleaning supplies. Take care of yourself and be sure to bring your own water, sunscreen and other protective gear. It can get hot on the pavement!

Get creative and consider including:

• questions your project seeks to answer or raise
• thought-provoking or troubling facts, statistics, etc.
• interesting or surprising outcomes, conclusions, etc.
• diagrams of methods, relevant processes, etc.
• illustrations of biological or chemical structures
• drawings of mechanical components and designs
• titles of creative or performance pieces
• graphs, charts or tables of significant data
• mathematical formulas, relevant theorems, etc.

Check out the photo gallery for more inspiration!

Participants are responsible for abiding by the campus chalking policy, which restricts chalking to concrete or asphalt exterior sidewalks that are exposed to natural elements. Chalking must be done by using water-soluble stick-chalk that fades away with the natural elements within a few days. Use of other types of chalk, including but not limited to, spray chalk, chalk paint, chalk markers, and other forms of liquid or powered chalk is not permitted.

In the event of rain or inclement weather, activities be relocated to the “rain location” noted here.  Participants will be provided with sheets of “felt roof underlayment,” which simulates the texture of pavement.

Students will be joined by professional chalk artist Kyle Banister, who will provide assistance throughout the event.  Kyle makes his living as an artist, creating work across the country, and currently serves on the Artists Committee for the Denver Chalk Art Festival.  His work for the Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and Denver Center for the Performing Arts has been featured in Denver for years. We're grateful for Kyle's continued collaboration and his many contributions to the development of this event.

UROP's Sidewalk Symposium is making news and other institutions are finding success with art. Let us know if you're planning an event or have press to share. We look forward to celebrating with you!

• CU Boulder student highlights MAVEN research at Honors Sidewalk Symposium
• CU Boulder students create chalk art to represent their research
• St. Thomas Students Decorate Campus Sidewalks With Chalk Art to Illustrate Research
• NC State Vlog on Sidewalk Symposium
• NC State's 2024 Sidewalk Symposium
• NC State's 2023 Sidewalk Symposium
• NC State's 2021 Sidewalk Symposium
• 1st Annual GVSU Chalk Art Symposium
• More than Chalk on the Sidewalk: OUR Sidewalk Symposium