REU Site: Science and Engineering in Nanomaterials

非技术描述：REU/RET纳米材料网站的目标是培训下一代科学和工程专业人员，同时增加传统上代表性不足的群体的参与。REU网站从全国范围内的申请者库中吸引有才华的本科生到UMN校区进行为期10周的密集研究体验，其中包括广泛的培训和职业发展技能。每个参与者都在一个跨学科研究小组内从事一个独立的研究项目。该网站的跨学科性质使其成为材料科学、化学工程、化学、物理、电气工程、机械工程等相关专业学生进入两四年制学术机构学习的理想机会。除了进行研究和参加职业发展研讨会外，参与者还会在项目结束时发布海报和正式的口头演示。RET部分每年从大双城吸引6名教师参加为期6周的研究体验，并额外吸引25名教师参加RET领导的为期3天的讲习班。RET参与者有自己的研究项目，致力于为初中和高中课堂开发和传播基于标准的工程实验室活动。教师连续参加两个暑期，并鼓励以团队形式(来自同一学校或学区的两名教师)申请该项目；连续参加暑期活动可以修改和改进已开发的课堂活动，而参加团队则减少了机构对新材料的阻力。REU和RET计划不断地通过重复测量调查进行正式评估，并通过个人访谈和小组讨论进行非正式评估，以便每年改进计划，并在计划期间告知变化，以满足每个独特队列的需求。REU/RET网站的综合元素旨在加强科学、工程和技术方面的K-12教育，特别是材料科学，以增加对K-12学生的兴趣，同时也为本科生的研究生和职业生涯做准备。技术细节：REU纳米材料网站是一个为期10周的密集研究体验，让本科生接触到跨学科的材料研究。参与者可以参与的项目涉及从硬材料到软材料的广泛范围：材料的静电控制；可持续的纳米晶体材料；以及分级多功能高分子材料。每个研究小组整合了材料科学和工程的六个基本要素-合成、理论、结构表征、性能评估、加工和应用-材料研究和开发中的有效创新所需的。除了被分配一个独立的研究项目外，学生还参加一系列全面的活动，旨在提供深入的、具有启发性的研究经验；培养与教师、研究生和博士后研究员的指导关系；并提高学生为研究生院和研究职业做准备的技能。该网站RET部分的参与者获得了动手实验室经验，以帮助他们更好地了解科学和工程实践，并随后将其传达给他们的学生。教师与教师、博士后研究员和在研究和教育方面有杰出记录的研究生合作，强调丰富的跨学科研究主题，然后将这些主题开发为课程元素和实验室活动，用于K-12课堂。REU和RET两个部分都旨在促进和确保将女性、代表性不足的少数群体和残疾人纳入下一代科学家和工程师的准备。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: The goal of the REU/RET Site in nanomaterials is to train the next generation of science and engineering professionals while increasing participation of traditionally underrepresented groups. The REU Site brings talented undergraduates from a nationwide pool of applicants to the UMN campus for an intensive 10-week research experience that includes extensive training and development of career-building skills. Each participant pursues an independent research project within an interdisciplinary research group. The interdisciplinary nature of the Site makes it an ideal opportunity for students in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and other related majors enrolled in two- or four-year academic institutions. In addition to conducting research and engaging in career development workshops, participants deliver a poster and a formal oral presentation at the program's conclusion. The RET component draws six teachers annually from the greater Twin Cities for a six-week research experience and 25 additional teachers for a three day RET-led workshop. RET participants have their own research projects, and work to develop and disseminate standards-based engineering laboratory activities for middle and high school classrooms. Teachers participate for two consecutive summers and are encouraged to apply to the program as teams (two teachers from the same school or district); participating in consecutive summers allows for revision and improvement of developed classroom activities, while participating in teams reduces institutional resistance to new materials. The REU and RET programs are continually evaluated both formally through repeated measure surveys and informally through individual interviews and group discussions in order to improve the program each year, and to inform changes during the program to meet the needs of each unique cohort. The combined elements of the REU/RET site seek to enhance K-12 education in science, engineering and technology in general, and Materials Science in particular, in order to increase interest in K-12 students while also preparing undergraduates for graduate and professional careers.TECHNICAL DETAILS: The REU Site in nanomaterials is an intensive 10-week research experience that exposes undergraduates to interdisciplinary materials research. Projects available to participants address a wide range of 'hard' to 'soft' materials: Electrostatic Control of Materials; Sustainable Nanocrystal Materials; and Hierarchical Multifunctional Macromolecular Materials. Each research group integrates the six basic elements of materials science and engineering - synthesis, theory, structural characterization, property evaluation, processing, and applications - required for effective innovation in materials research and development. In addition to being assigned an independent research project, students participate in a comprehensive collection of activities designed to offer in-depth, stimulating research experiences; foster mentoring relationships with faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows; and enhance student skills in preparation for graduate school and research careers. Participants in the RET component of the Site gain hands-on laboratory experiences to help them better understand the practice of science and engineering and subsequently communicate it to their students. Teachers work with faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students with distinguished track records in research and education, emphasizing a rich array of interdisciplinary research topics that are then developed into curriculum elements and laboratory activities for use in K-12 classrooms. Both the REU and RET components are designed to promote and assure inclusion of women, underrepresented minorities, and people with disabilities in the preparation of the next generation of scientists and engineers.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.