REU Site: Integrating Hearing and Deaf Students in Undergraduate Chemical Research

该奖项来自化学系（CHE），支持由詹姆斯麦迪逊大学丹尼尔·m·唐尼领导的本科生研究经验（REU）网站。该网站支持的研究项目涉及化学的广泛领域。本科生将从地区学院和大学以及詹姆斯麦迪逊大学招募到这个网站。该网站将包括来自其他高等教育机构的两位外部导师，以及高中教师和高中生的参与。该网站的独特之处在于它整合了各个层次（学生和教师）的聋人/重听研究人员。此外，研究生还有机会为参加JMU校园夏令营的一大群聋哑/听障中学生教授化学。除了支持一些访问教师和高中教师外，该网站每年夏天将为八名本科生提供为期十周的研究项目。研究人员将从事的项目包括：(1)新型两亲分子的超分子聚集的合成和研究；(2)金属氧化物纳米颗粒催化剂固相分解动力学研究；(3)鱼类耳石中痕量有毒重金属的分析以及寻找天然水体中内分泌干扰物的研究；(4)开发灵敏、准确的温室气体传感器；(5)核苷酸结合蛋白的光谱研究和(6)生物分子系统中界面电子转移的研究。除了在夏季进行研究外，参加该计划的学生还将参加一些专业发展活动，包括科学传播培训。作为培训的一部分，年轻科学家需要接触现代研究方法和工具。这个REU网站旨在为没有重要研究经验的学生提供一个机会，在这个以本科生为主的机构中，与专门的教师导师一起进行化学科学方面的前沿研究。在这里参与研究的不同学生群体将为在化学科学和研究生院的进一步学习做好充分准备，并最终成为该国技术劳动力的一部分。这个REU网站的一个独特之处在于聋哑学生和教师与听力大多数的密集整合。参与该网站的学生将学习如何有效地与这两个群体进行科学交流，聋人/重听学生将被鼓励进入或继续在STEM领域学习。

This award from the Division of Chemistry (CHE) supports a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site led by Daniel M. Downey at James Madison University. The research projects supported in this site are in a wide range of areas of chemistry. Undergraduates will be recruited to this site from regional colleges and universities as well as James Madison University. The site will include participation from two outside mentors from other higher education institutions, as well as high school teachers and high school students. The site is unique in that it integrates deaf/hard of hearing researchers at every level (students and instructors). In addition, research students have the opportunity to teach chemistry to a large group of deaf/hard of hearing middle school youngsters taking part in a summer camp on the JMU campus. The site will support eight undergraduate research students per summer in a ten week program, in addition to supporting a number of visiting faculty and high-school teachers. A sample of the projects that researchers will work on include: (1) the synthesis and study of the supramolecular aggregation of novel amphiphiles; (2) the study of the solid state decomposition kinetics using metal-oxide nanoparticle catalysts; (3) the analysis of fish otoliths for trace amounts of toxic heavy metals as well as a study looking for endocrine disrupting compounds in natural waters; (4) the development of sensitive and accurate greenhouse gas sensors; (5) spectroscopic studies of nucleotide binding proteins and (6) the study of interfacial electron transfer in biomolecular systems. In addition to conducting research during the summer, the students participating in this program will participate in a number of professional development activities, including training in scientific communication.Young scientists need exposure to modern research methods and tools as part of their training. This REU site aims to provide students without significant research experience a chance to conduct cutting-edge research in the chemical sciences with dedicated faculty mentors at this predominantly undergraduate institution. The diverse student cohort participating in research at this site will be well-prepared for further study in the chemical sciences, and graduate school, with eventual employment as part of the country's technical workforce. A unique feature of this REU site is the intensive integration of deaf students and faculty with the hearing majority. Students participating in this site will learn to communicate science effectively to both groups, and deaf/hard of hearing students will be encouraged to enter or continue study in STEM areas.