With this award, the Chemistry Division is supporting efforts in the area of curriculum development by sponsoring a two-day workshop for the 51 current chemistry Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) Site directors and interested persons from the Foundation. The aims of the workshop, to be held at the Foundation during September 19-21, 1990, are: 1) to discuss the role of chemistry research in the undergraduate curriculum and in the students' career choices, 2) to assess the impact of the REU Program on undergraduate education, on subsequent enrollment in graduate chemistry-related research programs and on ultimate career decisions, 3) to formulate specific proposals for the enhancement and increased effectiveness of the REU Program and the operation of individual sites, and 4) to develop strategies for expanding the visibility of the Program. The concrete results of the workshop will be 1) a "White Paper" summarizing the conclusions of the workshop, a document which will serve in part to advise those at the Foundation who are involved in the REU Program, 2) a set of guidelines for REU site directors, and 3) plans for a future symposium at a National Meeting of the American Chemical Society dealing with undergraduate research and the REU Program. It is anticiupated that the overall impact of the workshop will be an improvement in opportunities for direct student exposure to research and an increase in the number of people opting for research careers.
