REU: Summer Research Experience in the Mammoth Cave/Upper Green River Watershed

这是一个为期10周的夏季研究计划，为八名本科生设计了一个多学科的教师研究项目，该项目由西肯塔基州大学奥格登科学与工程学院的生物、化学、地理和地质系以及水资源研究中心共同提交。 每个学生将与十名教师或专业人员导师中的一名合作开发一个研究项目，这些导师在各自的学科中有一个积极的研究项目，以环境为重点。 所有项目都将与肯塔基州西部猛犸洞/上绿色河流域的岩溶地形有关的环境问题联系起来。这个REU网站有几个目标：1）为学生参与者提供独特的和令人兴奋的环境研究领域的研究机会; 2）为学生提供一个机会，以一种有意义的方式将他们的知识应用到真实的和当前的环境问题; 3）提高学生参与者的批判性思维和沟通技巧（包括书面，口头，听力和计算机增强演示）; 4）向学生介绍一个超越课堂的研究环境。5)培养学生的科学成熟度，同时致力于最终基于服务更大社区的研究经验; 6） 通过利用最先进的仪器和实验设施的实践经验来增加对研究生学习的兴趣;以及7）在学年期间在区域和国家会议上编写和提交研究海报。 目标是让50%以上的参与者继续研究生学习和/或从事与环境有关的职业。本科研究人员将与教师导师建立指导关系，同时参与有意义的研究活动。他们将通过一系列的实践培训课程接触到每个参与部门的各种研究和仪器技术。 在学年期间，导师和学生之间的定期联系将保持，以方便学生在全国会议上展示海报。 如果需要，导师也将与学生一起参加会议，提供现场支持。

This is a 10-week summer research program, designed the program for eight undergraduates in a multidisciplinary faculty research project submitted jointly from the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, and Geography and Geology and the Center for Water Resource Studies of the Ogden College of Science and Engineering of Western Kentucky University. Each student will develop a research project in collaboration with one of ten faculty or professional staff mentors who have an active research program with an environmental focus in their respective disciplines. All projects will be linked to environmental issues related to the karst terrain in the Mammoth Cave/ Upper Green River Basin in western Kentucky. This REU site has several objectives: 1) to provide the student participants with unique and exciting research opportunities in an area of environmental research; 2) to provide the students an opportunity to apply their knowledge to a real and current environmental problem in a meaningful way; 3) to enhance the critical thinking and communication skills (including written, oral, listening, and computer-enhanced presentations) of the student participants; 4) to introduce the students to a research setting that is .beyond the classroom.; 5) to develop the scientific maturity of the students while working on a research experience that is ultimately based on service to the greater community; 6) to increase interest in graduate study by hands-on experience utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation and experimental facilities; and 7) to prepare and present a research poster at a regional and national conference during the academic year. A goal is to have more than 50% of the participants pursue post- graduate studies and/or pursue careers in an environmentally related profession. The undergraduate researchers will develop a mentoring relationship with a faculty mentor while participating in meaningful research activities. They will be exposed to a variety of research and instrumental techniques in each participating department through a series of hands-on training sessions. During the academic year, regular contact between the mentor and student will be maintained in order to facilitate the students poster presentation at a national conference. Mentors will also attend the conference with the student to provide on-site support, if needed.