Explore it! Building the Next Generation of Sustainable Forest Bioproduct Researchers

项目的更广泛意义：REU网站计划，探索它！建立下一代可持续森林生物产品研究人员的目的是让参与者开发和利用新知识，以道德的方式解决影响社会的森林生物产品问题。REU网站通过广泛利用与主要为少数民族服务的机构的现有联系来招募少数民族。研究结果通过校园和国际演讲，并通过期刊文章和研讨会传播。REU学生与中学教师一起创建课程模块，以可持续森林生物产品的概念为载体向中学生教授STEM原则。参与者提出并与FBRI教师互动，从而扩大他们和教师的经验。社会受益参与者传播他们的研究结果，影响中学教育，获得更广泛的了解研究伦理，并进一步，在研究生院入学，以促进他们的职业生涯。国际科学界受益于REU参与者向我们的智利同事介绍他们的发现，同时了解孔塞普西翁大学进行的平行研究。项目描述：该项目是以前资助的REU网站的延续：探索它！培养下一代可持续森林生物产品研究人员。这个REU网站为10名本科生提供为期十周的夏季研究经验，利用缅因州大学森林生物制品研究所（FBRI）的重点领域。在可持续生物产品替代品领域，对可持续森林生物产品的关注是一个热门话题，具有重大的全球意义。学生进行研究，以提高他们对该领域的一般知识和主题元素之一，特别是：1）可持续性和LCA，2）原料提取/修改，3），过程控制和传感，4）纳米材料生产和利用，以及5）新产品开发。REU资助为30名本科生提供为期3年的助学金和专业发展活动。其他非NSF REU资助的学生将参加，其中包括6名智利学生与6名美国学生相互交流，从而扩大了该计划的影响。学生由12名教师之一指导，他们都是FBRI，缅因州海事学院（MMA）或智利康塞普西翁UDT大学的高级人员。REU计划以智利森林产品行业实地考察结束，还包括一个研究会议，与会者向智利教师和学生介绍他们的工作。一套独特的评估和评估工具，允许跟踪学生的表现，从而使反馈给学生和程序一样。现场提案EEC-1461116确认工程教育和中心分部（EEC）的支持。

BROADER SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT:The REU Site Program, Explore it! Building the Next Generation of Sustainable Forest Bioproduct Researchers aims for participants to develop and utilize new knowledge to address forest bioproduct issues impacting society in an ethical manner. The REU Site recruits minorities through extensive use of existing linkages with primarily minority serving institutions. Results are disseminated via campus and international presentations, and through journal articles and symposia. REU students work alongside middle-school teachers creating curricular modules to teach STEM principles to middle school children employing the concept of sustainable forest bioproducts as a vehicle. Participants present to and interact with FBRI faculty, thereby broadening both their and the faculty experiences. Society benefits as participants disseminate their findings, impact middle school education, obtain a broader understanding of research ethics, and further, enroll in graduate school to advance their careers. The international scientific community benefits as the REU participants present their findings to our Chilean colleagues, while learning of the parallel research performed at the University of Concepcion.PROJECT DESCRIPTION:This project is a continuation of a previously funded REU Site: Explore it! Building the Next Generation of Sustainable Forest Bioproduct Researchers. This REU Site provides 10 undergraduates with a ten week summer research experience, leveraged on the focus areas of the University of Maine, Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI). Focus on sustainable forest bioproducts is highly topical and of great global importance in the area of sustainable bioproduct alternatives. Students conduct research advancing their knowledge of the field in general and one of the thematic elements, specifically: 1) sustainability and LCA, 2) feedstock extraction/modification, 3), process control and sensing, 4) nanomaterial production and utilization, and 5) new product development. REU funding provides stipends and professional development activities for 30 undergraduates over 3 years. Additional non-NSF REU funded students will participate, including 6 Chilean students on a mutual exchange with 6 US students, thereby broadening the impact of the program. Students are mentored by one of 12 Faculty, all of whom are senior personnel in the FBRI, Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) or University of Concepcion-UDT, Chile. The REU program concludes with a forest products industry field trip to Chile, and also involves a research conference where participants present their work to Chilean faculty and students. A unique set of evaluation and assessment tools are employed that allow tracking of student performance, thus enabling feedback to students and the program alike. The Site Proposal EEC-1461116 acknowledges the support from the Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC).