BOARD # 285: NSF REU Site: Developing the Entrepreneurial Mindset in Engineering Students through Energy-Focused New Product Development

Lisa Bosman; Rhea Dutta

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Conference: 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Publication Date: June 22, 2025
Start Date: June 22, 2025
End Date: August 15, 2025
Conference Session: NSF Grantees Poster Session I
Tagged Topics: Diversity and NSF Grantees Poster Session
Page Count: 6
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--55649
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/55649
Download Count: 3

Paper Authors

biography

Lisa Bosman Purdue University

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Dr. Bosman holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering. Her engineering education research interests include entrepreneurially minded learning, energy education, interdisciplinary education, and faculty professional development.

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biography

Rhea Dutta

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Rhea is a sophomore studying Industrial Engineering at the Purdue University College of Engineering and the John Martison Honors College. She is originally from Princeton, New Jersey, and will graduate in May 2026.

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Abstract

Research experiences for undergraduates (REUs) are crucial in shaping academic and professional development. Engaging in research allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Moreover, students benefit in many ways by living in the university dorms for 10 weeks, exploring a new university town, making new friends, and taking on new life experiences.

The purpose of this NSF Grantees Poster is to provide a holistic overview of undergraduate student researcher perceptions related to participating in an NSF REU Site program, titled “NSF REU Site: Growing Entrepreneurially-Minded Undergraduate Researchers with New Product Development in Applied Energy.” This REU integrated the strengths of academic applied research, including a solid theoretical foundation and rigorous scholarship, with key business practices such as real-world customer discovery and the creation of viable business models. The intention of the REU was to equip students with an entrepreneurial mindset, expanding their research toolbox and skillset.

At the end of the 10-week REU program, participants completed a final reflection responding to the following questions: 1. Entrepreneurial Mindset: The entrepreneurial mindset is defined as “the inclination to discover, evaluate, and exploit opportunities.” What are the 3 most important things you learned about an entrepreneurial mindset (or entrepreneurship) by participating in the REU program? 2. Research Skills: Identify the top three research skills gained while participating in the REU program. 3. Advisor Research Lab: What did you like about working with your advisor? What opportunities for improvement can you recommend? 4. Connect to Real World: What skills did you learn that are important for engineers conducting research in the real world? Please consider both professional skills (e.g., communication, collaboration, etc…) and context specific skills (e.g., topic area).

Thematic analysis was conducted on the reflections using NVivo. Findings and lessons learned are provided.

Citation
Format

Bosman, L., & Dutta, R. (2025, June), BOARD # 285: NSF REU Site: Developing the Entrepreneurial Mindset in Engineering Students through Energy-Focused New Product Development Paper presented at 2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Montreal, Quebec, Canada . 10.18260/1-2--55649

TY  - CPAPER
AB  - Research experiences for undergraduates (REUs) are crucial in shaping academic and professional development. Engaging in research allows students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. Moreover, students benefit in many ways by living in the university dorms for 10 weeks, exploring a new university town, making new friends, and taking on new life experiences. 

The purpose of this NSF Grantees Poster is to provide a holistic overview of undergraduate student researcher perceptions related to participating in an NSF REU Site program, titled “NSF REU Site: Growing Entrepreneurially-Minded Undergraduate Researchers with New Product Development in Applied Energy.” This REU integrated the strengths of academic applied research, including a solid theoretical foundation and rigorous scholarship, with key business practices such as real-world customer discovery and the creation of viable business models. The intention of the REU was to equip students with an entrepreneurial mindset, expanding their research toolbox and skillset.

At the end of the 10-week REU program, participants completed a final reflection responding to the following questions:
1.	Entrepreneurial Mindset: The entrepreneurial mindset is defined as “the inclination to discover, evaluate, and exploit opportunities.” What are the 3 most important things you learned about an entrepreneurial mindset (or entrepreneurship) by participating in the REU program?
2.	Research Skills: Identify the top three research skills gained while participating in the REU program.
3.	Advisor Research Lab: What did you like about working with your advisor? What opportunities for improvement can you recommend?
4.	Connect to Real World: What skills did you learn that are important for engineers conducting research in the real world? Please consider both professional skills (e.g., communication, collaboration, etc…) and context specific skills (e.g., topic area).

Thematic analysis was conducted on the reflections using NVivo. Findings and lessons learned are provided.
AU  - Lisa Bosman
AU  - Rhea Dutta
CY  - Montreal, Quebec, Canada 
DA  - 2025/06/22
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - BOARD # 285: NSF REU Site: Developing the Entrepreneurial Mindset in Engineering Students through Energy-Focused New Product Development
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/55649
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--55649
ER  -