This award provides renewed funding for a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at the University of Texas Marine Science Institute (UTMSI), which is located in Port Aransas, TX and is part of the University of Texas at Austin. Each year, eight students will be supported during a ten week summer research program. The program will recruit nationally and from many Texas universities and colleges. The main focus of the program will be independent research projects by the students, but the program includes a two day research cruise at the start of the program, a series of seminars in marine sciences, web-based communication and career workshops. At the end of the summer, REU students present their results during a student research symposium. Students also will be encouraged to present their results at national research conferences. Support provided by NSF includes funding for student stipends, student travel to and from the site, student housing and meals and some administrative costs.
This 3-year project provided full-time summer research opportunities in marine science for 27 undergraduate students from across the U.S. Our overall goal was to promote diversity and engagement of early career students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, with a focus on marine science in particular. Specifically, we wanted to: 1. Develop students’ skills in designing and conducting scientific research; 2. Increase students’ exposure to and awareness of scientific career paths; 3. Foster an understanding of ethical conduct in scientific research; and 4. Inspire students to pursue marine science careers. Our core activity was a 10-week independent research project, done in conjunction with a faculty mentor. Students also participated in weekly seminars, workshops on scientific careers, ethics, and effective communication skills. Program evaluations showed that, over the course of the program, all students gained skills in the conduct of scientific research, the nature of careers in research and science, and ethical issues in research and education. REU projects resulted in 25 student presentations at national and international scientific meetings, and 10 co-authored publications in peer-reviewed research journals. One-quarter of our students self-identified with groups that are underrepresented in marine science, and almost half were from colleges or universities that do not offer significant opportunities for undergraduate research. Over 90% of program alumni reported that the program favorably influenced or reinforced their desire to pursue STEM education, and over 90% of alumni are currently in jobs that involve science. Our program directly addressed the growing need for STEM expertise in the U.S. workforce, by contributing to the development and diversification of the pool of STEM-educated college graduates. In a broader sense, the program also helped to create scientifically literate citizens who are better equipped to engage with pressing environmental and social issues.
