9300445 Isserman This award provides funds to the Regional Research Institute at West Virginia University for an REU Site which offers students a research experience in geography and regional science. The program brings students from colleges with limited research opportunities to the university for their junior years. Each student works closely with a faculty mentor from the Regional Research Institute and experiences the entire research process from defining a topic to presenting results. Women and underrepresented minorities have priority. The program was developed and refined during a successful three-year pilot project. In the Fall semester, the students become familiar with their substantive areas, learn research skills, begin to understand the nature of inquiry and scholarly research, and prepare a research proposal. In the Spring semester, they work actively on their research projects and prepare a draft report. The Summer stage varies; some students opt to work fulltime on ambitious extensions of their research, while otheres revise their draft reports. The overall goal is to prepare a manuscript suitable for conference presentation and journal publication. A group seminar and numerous other activities prepare the students to conduct research, provide the opportunity for scholarly interaction, and encourage the students to attend graduate school. As Undergraduate Research Fellows, they are part of the University Honors Program, live in the Honors dormitory, and participate in Honors classes and activities. This award contributes to the Foundation's continuing efforts to attract talented students into careers in science through active undergraduate research experiences. ***
