Undergraduate Research in STEM: Individual and Seminar-Based Learning Approaches

Keywords: Undergraduate research, STEM, student engagement
Session Type: Virtual Poster Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 03:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 05:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 73

Abstract

The Undergraduate Scholarships with Mathematics and Science Training, Exploration and Research (US MASTER) program at the University of North Dakota is supported by the National Science Foundation, and has been active since 2010. The main goals of the current program are to recruit, retain and engage students in the STEM field, especially underrepresented minorities and first-generation students. Students are encouraged to work with faculty mentors on individual research projects. Research subjects have included Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental Studies, Geography & Geographic Information Science, Mathematics and Physics & Astrophysics. These projects can last from one to multiple semesters. Students and mentors complete and sign an agreement form at the beginning of each semester indicating the expectations of the student and faculty mentor(s). Brief reports at the end of the semester indicate the success or progress of each study. Students often present results of their research at local, regional and national conferences, and are included in publications. Students in the US MASTER Program are also encouraged to attend a weekly seminar to engage with their peers in the program. One of the focuses of this seminar has been for conducting group research, or training during the spring semester. Group research projects have included water quality assessment of a campus stream, microplastic environmental pollution, and the analysis of large datasets that spanned geospatial, statistical and data visualization techniques.