Presented By: Jovan Tatar, University of Delaware
Description: Concepts of sustainability, climate change, and resilience have become increasingly important in undergraduate education across all engineering disciplines. Solutions to climate change require interdisciplinary efforts and it is important to engage undergraduate students in these topics to develop a workforce that can tackle these challenges. Many studies report on the positive learning outcomes that result from engaging in undergraduate research experiences. In 2021, an REU Site in Sustainable Resilient Transportation Systems was established at the University of Delaware (UD) with support from the NSF Division of Engineering Education and Centers. This program aims to provide participants with interdisciplinary research experiences in electric and autonomous vehicles; green construction materials and structures; and resilient infrastructure. Over the past two years, the site has hosted a diverse cohort of undergraduate researchers. In addition to the individual research experiences, REU participants engaged in cohort experiences including workshops and seminars that addressed sustainability topics and support the development of students’ research, communication, and collaboration skills. In the summer of 2023, ten students from across the US participated in the program. All participants completed a pre- and post-program surveys that included sustainability-related questions. The survey included open-ended and Likert-scale questions that measured the knowledge of sustainability among the REU participants. This talk summarizes these findings, which can be used to inform similar future programs that aim to engage undergraduate students in sustainability topics. Moreover, the presentation will highlight best practices that ensure students' success in NSF REU and similar undergraduate research programs.
Негізгі бет Undergraduate Student Success in NSF REU Summer Programs
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