(611a) Engaging the Undergraduate through Research and Mentoring | AIChE

(611a) Engaging the Undergraduate through Research and Mentoring

Authors 

McDonald, N. V. - Presenter, University of Notre Dame
Spatz, R. - Presenter, University of Alaska Anchorage


The four premier science and technology institutions recently prepared a report for Congress entitled ?Rising Above The Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future? it is an action plan dedicated to the needs of this country with respect to science, engineering and technology advancements. Two of the suggestions revolved around the need to train, educate and stimulate top students in science and engineering and sustain and strengthen the nation's commitment to long-term basic research. In short, this executive summary requires that the country focus more effort on the growth and development of future Scientists and Engineers, i.e. we must do more and better!

There are a number of compelling reasons to promote undergraduate research. The REU provides the undergraduate student a new mechanism to apply to his/her classroom experience, to meet and discuss their interests with faculty within their institution and around the world, and many faculty have gotten their start through undergraduate research experience and mentoring from a former professor. In addition there is evidence that undergraduate research experiences have been shown to enhance retention and academic performance of undergraduates (Gregerman).(1) Additional studies have shown that "(s)tudents who participate in undergraduate research are significantly more likely to pursue post-graduate education than control students." In other words, an undergraduate research experience "extends its effect beyond the undergraduate experience by retaining students in the educational pipeline after graduation." (2)

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) is a public institution with about fifteen thousand students, many of these students are "non traditional students" with a wide range of barriers to completing a college education. UAA primarily serves Alaska, an isolated state that must depend on its residents in order to sustain economic growth and development. As a state funded public institution UAA has an obligation to produce scientist and engineers committed to solving the unique challenges of Alaska. UAA has recognized the importance of these objectives and the University Honors College has assumed a leadership role through its Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS). OURS has committed a significant amount of time and resources to advancing undergraduate research. OURS believes in fostering inspired teaching and engaged student learning, by advancing the involvement of UAA students across all disciplines in research and creative activities?whether they be independent or with UAA faculty. On a year-round basis, OURS promotes and distributes undergraduate research opportunities and has also developed nine in-house competitive grant awards programs. Students are encouraged to write their own proposals which are reviewed by a panel of faculty and/or professionals. The students are encouraged to participate as full members of their respective groups, giving the undergraduate a glimpse into graduate school. As a consequence of this intervention, many students have opportunities that otherwise would not have existed in their undergraduate experiences. The results in terms of student success are very encouraging. Students have presented their research in regional, national and international venues and have published their work. A number of these students have also had spectacular success in graduate school (leading to doctorates). Additionally, many faculty members use the grants as an opportunity for mentoring while the undergraduates are given the opportunity to explore.

The progress of the undergraduate research initiative employed by the University of Alaska Anchorage is examined and presented through case studies, with reflections and insight drawn from former students and faculty.

1. Gregerman, Sandra R. "Undergraduate Student-Faculty Research Partnerships Affect Student Retention" The Review of Higher Education - Volume 22, Number 1, Fall 1998, pp. 55-72

2. Assessment of the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (Excerpted from the University of Michigan RAIRE Application

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