Principal investigator: J. Moreno Co-Principal investigator: G. Allen Submitting Organization: Center for Computation & Technology Location: Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
There is a national need to attract more students to careers in STEM disciplines. In particular, computational science is a crosscutting capability which, combined with experiment and theory, produces the highest caliber research in science and engineering disciplines. Computational science will only fulfill its potential if advances in interdisciplinary education and training of the workforce occurs.
This newly established Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) site at Louisiana State University (LSU) will combine individual training with student immersion in a multidisciplinary research group to provide a rich research experience in a computational science project. Occurring over a nine week summer period, eight undergraduate students each year will be individually matched to a project among a diverse portfolio representing different aspects of computational science as well as a wide array of scientific disciplines.
In addition to the unique and highly valuable exposure to multidisciplinary research methods, training in the use of advanced computational tools and experience in the use of multimedia collaborative tools for national/international teamwork, will better prepare these students for the future. Engagement of students occurs both individually via mentoring and in group settings. Both formal and informal approaches are included in project development and communication. Project selection, followup mentoring and program feedback are designed to broaden the student appeal, improve the program and to support sustained student interest in a research career.
The broader impacts of this REU effort are threefold. The appeal of the projects to a wide array of undergraduate students has been carefully built into the program via exciting aspects of computational science, an international flavor and the inclusion of many scientific disciplines. This appeal to a wide array of students is further enhanced by the program's focused effort to draw from underrepresented populations, an effort which builds on previous institutional successes. Finally, the program has been crafted so that it can be readily replicated in other settings.
This award funds a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program at the Center for Computation & Technology at Louisiana State University (LSU). A multi-disciplinary team of Computational Science faculty from several LSU departments collaborates to provide the students experience in the computational aspects of their multiple disciplines including Chemistry, Computer Science, Digital Media, Mathematics, Physics & Astronomy, Biological Sciences, and Civil, Environmental, Petroleum, Electrical, and Computer Engineering. The intellectual merit of this project lies in the strong team of experienced researchers and the outstanding collaborative research environment. We have found that the combination of individual training with student immersion in a multidisciplinary research group has been successful in engaging a diverse body of students to explore Computational Science (CSci). The broader impacts include providing students with a taste of CSci research that will have a direct bearing on their future career paths. Our REU program has attracted 37 college and five high school students. This award funded 27 of these students, another ten college and five high school students were supported with additional NSF, state, and university funds. Our students published one journal paper and nine conference proceedings. They have delivered fifteen presentations in national and international meetings and sixteen regional and local presentations. Seven of our students have presented their research at international conferences and workshops. Among our REU participants, twelve are enrolled in graduate school, twelve got full time jobs in industry, six are still completing their BS degrees and four recently graduated.
