IREU Site: Building Networks for U.S. and International Materials Science Undergraduates in Singapore, Scotland, and Italy

该奖项来自美国国家科学基金会材料研究部（NSF DMR），支持由美国化学会（ACS）于2014-2016年夏季组织和管理的本科生国际研究经验（IREU）项目。这个IREU采用非传统的方法，将美国学生与欧洲和亚洲的本科研究经验联系起来，而反过来，美国国家资助机构将免费将国际学生安置在美国材料研究REU的夏季站点。2014-2016年，合作机构包括新加坡国立大学（NUS）、意大利佩鲁贾大学（Universita degli Studi di Perugia）和英国苏格兰斯特拉斯克莱德大学（University of Strathclyde），这些机构都提供了大量的研究项目，并有很高的出版潜力。来自不同种族和文化背景的9名美国学生，以及来自研究机会有限的机构（每个国际站点3名），将在全国范围内招募参加这个为期10周的IREU项目。相反，来自三个国际站点的国际学生被安排在美国现有的NSF DMR赞助的REU项目中，培养这些国内项目的全球网络。参与者将与研究导师和项目相匹配，重点是可持续能源的材料科学。所有IREU参与者在春季美国化学会全国会议上展示他们的研究；准备一份正式摘要；制作并展示一张研究海报；考虑研究的伦理问题；获得对科学专业精神、其他文化和合作的尊重；交流科学发现。该站点由国防部与NSF REU项目合作资助。科学的全球化要求学生毕业时具备实际的实验室经验、对多元文化的理解和国际视野，以便在全球市场上竞争。这三种能力是美国雇主认为当前应届毕业生所缺乏的（2008年美国高校协会雇主调查）。显然，提高这些技能的需求是存在的，但材料科学相关学位的学生课业繁重，使得他们很难在学年期间出国留学。暑期研究可以让学生在不中断学业的情况下获得国际经验；提高国家竞争力、创新能力和知识基础；并协助解决全球范围内的挑战（例如，能源，健康，食品/水）。由美国国家科学基金会材料研究部（DMR）资助的ACS本科生国际研究经验（IREU）项目每年将9名来自不同背景和机构的美国材料科学专业学生与新加坡公认的科学知识生产者的研究经验联系起来；格拉斯哥,苏格兰;以及意大利的佩鲁贾。在促进智力成长和成熟的同时，IREU的经历旨在促进学生参加高级学位课程的愿望，灌输对其他文化和科学专业精神的尊重，并为全球科学事业提供欣赏。作为回报，美国机构或资助者无需支付任何费用，国际学生将被匹配并安置在DMR资助的国内REU站点，以培养国际规模并在这些主办大学建立额外的网络。

TECHNICAL SUMMARYThis award from the National Science Foundation Division of Materials Research (NSF DMR) supports a new international Research Experiences for Undergraduates (IREU) program organized and managed by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for the summers of 2014-2016. This IREU takes a non-traditional approach by connecting U.S. students with undergraduate research experiences throughout Europe and Asia while reciprocally, at no cost to US National funding agencies, international students will be placed into summer U.S. Materials Research REU sites. For 2014-2016, partner institutions include the National University of Singapore (NUS), the Universita degli Studi di Perugia (Italy), and the University of Strathclyde (Scotland, UK) all offering substantial research projects with a high potential for resulting publications. Nine U.S. students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and from institutions with limited access to research (three to each international site) will be recruited nationally to participate in this ten-week IREU program. Conversely, international students from the three international sites are placed throughout existing NSF DMR sponsored REU programs in the U.S., nurturing the global networks of these domestic programs. Participants are matched with research mentors and projects with a focus on materials science for sustainable energy. All IREU participants present their research at the Spring American Chemical Society National Meeting; prepare an official abstract; create and present a research poster; consider ethical issues of research; gain respect for scientific professionalism, other cultures, and collaboration; and communicate scientific findings. The site is co-funded by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program.NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYThe globalization of science requires students to graduate with practical laboratory experiences, multicultural understanding, and an international perspective in order to compete in the global marketplace. All three are abilities that U.S. employers feel are lacking in the current crop of recent graduates (2008 Association of American Colleges and Universities employer survey). Clearly, a need exists to improve these skills but the rigorous course load for students in materials science-related degrees makes it difficult to study abroad during the academic year. Summer research allows students to gain international experience without disrupting their studies; increases national competiveness, innovation, and knowledge base; and assists in solving challenges of a global scope (e.g., energy, health, food/water). The ACS international research experiences for undergraduates (IREU) program funded by the National Science Foundation Division of Materials Research (DMR) yearly connects nine U.S. materials science students, recruited nationally from diverse backgrounds and institutions, with research experiences at recognized producers of scientific knowledge in Singapore; Glasgow, Scotland; and Perugia, Italy. While fostering intellectual growth and maturity, the IREU experience is intended to catalyze student's desire to enroll in advanced degree programs, instill a respect for other cultures and science professionalism, and provide an appreciation for the global scientific enterprise. Reciprocally, at no cost to U.S. institutions or funders, international students are matched to and placed at domestic DMR sponsored REU sites to nurture international dimensions and establish additional networks at these host universities.