Balanced Activities To Increase Student Satisfaction In A Mentored Summer Research Program
- Conference
- Location
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Chicago, Illinois
- Publication Date
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June 18, 2006
- Start Date
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June 18, 2006
- End Date
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June 21, 2006
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Environmental Engineering
- Page Count
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10
- Page Numbers
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11.266.1 - 11.266.10
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--480
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/480
- Download Count
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387
Paper Authors
Tom Langen Clarkson University
TOM LANGEN is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Biology and Psychology at Clarkson University. He has been co-director of the Clarkson REU Site Program in Environmental Science and Engineering since 2002.
Stefan Grimberg Clarkson University
STEFAN GRIMBERG is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Clarkson University. He was co-director of the Clarkson REU Site Program in Environmental Science and Engineering 1998 - 2000, and has directed the program since 2002.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
Balanced Activities to Increase Student Satisfaction in a Mentored Summer Research Program
Introduction
Summer research programs in science and engineering are an important way for undergraduate college students to experience substantive research beyond the confines of traditional coursework. Such programs also provide an opportunity for faculty, including those at teaching – intensive institutions, to closely mentor students in research during a period when teaching and service commitments are lowest.1
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is one of the largest sources of funding for undergraduate summer research programs in science and engineering, both through awards to individual researchers and through its Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site Program. Over 120 REU Site Programs are currently funded in engineering disciplines alone. NSF’s stated objective for the REU Site Program is to attract and retain promising undergraduates to careers in science and engineering research and education. This is to be achieved by funding programs that recruit a cohort of students to perform mentored research projects with a defined common focus on a coherent intellectual theme. Particular emphasis is placed on recruiting women, underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and students at academic institutions where research opportunities are limited.2
In most summer research programs, including REU Site Programs, students are expected to initiate and complete a substantive research project in a short period of time, typically 8 - 10 weeks. While the research project is a student’s principal activity in a summer program, there may be other organized activities incorporated into the program, including research seminars, skills workshops, graduate education and career mentoring activities, field trips, and social activities.3 Potential benefits of ancillary activities include (1) improved understanding of the relevance and multidisciplinary linkages of research projects; (2) improved attitude and
Langen, T., & Grimberg, S. (2006, June), Balanced Activities To Increase Student Satisfaction In A Mentored Summer Research Program Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--480
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