The University of Arizona's Biosphere 2 has been granted an NSF award to establish an REU Site. The award is supported by the Directorates for Geosciences (GEO) and Biological Sciences (BIO). The program will offer a 10-week summer REU experience in environmental and Earth Systems Research for 10 undergraduate students in biological and physical sciences. Biosphere 2 is a unique large-scale laboratory for controlled scientific studies that study the interaction between biological and physical systems and the response of ecosystems to global environmental change. The specific objectives students participating in the program are to: (1) develop research skills in laboratories, observations and/or computer modeling; (2) achieve a broad understanding of Earth system science; (3) experience the cross-disciplinary collaborations that characterize work in Earth system science; (4) network within the scientific field that will aid in their further education and research; and (5) develop an understanding of practical aspects of pursuing a career in science, including the nature of graduate school. Each student will pursue an individual research project under the guidance of a faculty member associated with Biosphere 2, and also participate in parallel "tracks" that (1) give them experience with the context for how their project fits into a broader understanding of the Earth system, (2) contribute to their own professional development as young researchers, and (3) make use of the outreach programs at Biosphere 2 for understanding the responsibilities and skills required for the translation of science to the public. The program will primarily serve students who are undergraduates at institutions without significant research opportunities, and will also make efforts to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the Earth and environmental sciences. An important component of this program will be training students in both the practice of interdisciplinary research, and also in the ethical implications and approaches to translating science for the public and for policy. Thus, this REU program will make important steps in training the next generation of diverse and interdisciplinary scientists for environmental and Earth system sciences.
The University of Arizona’s Biosphere 2 offers a 10-week residential summer research experience in environmental and Earth systems research for undergraduate students in biological and physical sciences. Biosphere 2 is a unique large-scale laboratory for controlled scientific studies that study the interaction between biological and physical systems and the response of ecosystems to global environmental change. Over the life of this grant, we hosted 33 undergraduate researchers in this program. Students lived at Biosphere 2 for the summer, and collaborated on research projects at Biosphere 2, and in the landscapes of southern Arizona, including the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Santa Rita Experimental Range. Students worked with a selection of 13 faculty mentors. The students that participated in the program developed research skills, achieved a broad understanding of Earth system science, experienced the cross-disciplinary collaborations that characterize work in Earth system science, and developed an understanding of practical aspects of pursuing a career in science, including the nature of graduate school. Each student pursued an individual research project under the guidance of a faculty member associated with Biosphere 2, and presented the results of this research at a poster session at the end of the summer. Some students also presented their research at national and international professional meetings. Students completed research projects that focused on the role of water controlling the dynamics of environmental processes, focusing on questions within disciplines such as, ecology, soil science, plant sciences, geomorphology, and hydrology. Students also participated in personal development experiences that paralleled their research project during the summer. These activities (1) gave them experience with the context of how their project fits into a broader understanding of the Earth system, (2) helped with their own professional development as young researchers, and (3) made use of the outreach programs at Biosphere to connect with the general public. Many of the students that participated in this REU program have gone on to pursue graduate studies in environmental, physical, or biological sciences. This REU program made important contributions in training the next generation of diverse and interdisciplinary scientists for environmental and Earth system sciences by focusing on interdisciplinary sciences and the translation of science for the public and policy.
