The Los Angeles Consortium for Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) will conduct a community-based, year-round NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site with a unique but critical mission, to provide students from academically underrepresented groups with a total research experience as part of their undergraduate studies. The Consortium pools the resources of eight institutions: one state university, four community colleges, one research university, one private liberal arts college, and a NASA field center. These are California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College, East Los Angeles College, Los Angeles Southwest College, and Pasadena City College. The educational institutions serve those who are underrepresented in the fields of the physical sciences and engineering and will provide candidates for the program. The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the University of California Riverside, and the Pomona College will supply the faculty with research topics for the students, the needed research facilities and personnel to train and mentor the students. The research projects are mainly in the area of solar system and star formation studies, and some might be related to the on-going and future space missions. The astronomical observations will be conducted at JPL Table Mountain Observatory that houses 0.6-meter and 1.2-meter telescopes owned by the JPL, and a 1-meter telescope owned by Pomona College. There is a formal process to select approximately ten undergraduate students per year to participate in the program, which, for each student, is two years in duration. CURE will provide stipends to the students so they will be able to concentrate on their studies and research topics. The stipends will be paid over a 12 month period. The observing program will be carried out during the summer. The CURE program is structured so that it will not interfere with the students' courses of study, but rather it will enhance their progress and chances of success. The concept of CURE as a unique community-based, year-round program involving a minority serving state university and community colleges with research universities and a NASA field center should serve as a good model for other colleges, universities and research institutions located in urban areas. This award is supported by funds from the Division of Astronomical Sciences and the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities of the Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
