The Second Annual Undergraduate Research Conference recognires and celebrates undergraduate research and creative activities at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Our faculty are committed to undergraduate research and organizing this conference has revealed both the long and productive record of undergraduate research on campus and the many benefits that occur as the result of faculty mentoring undergraduate students. Students involved in these efforts have better retention rates. excel academically and are more competitive in the job market and graduate school admissions. This formal publication presents the abstracts of the student presentations on March 2, 2000. The conference features 25 oral presentations, 12 poster presentations and 4 performance-based/visual arts presentations from six campus colleges. Our congratula­tions to the students and their faculty members.