REU Site: Science and Engineering in Nanomaterials

非技术描述：REU/RET网站在纳米材料方面的目标是培养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中挑选有才华的本科生到UMN校园进行为期10周的密集研究体验，包括广泛的培训和职业建设技能的发展。每个参与者在一个跨学科研究小组中进行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、机械工程和其他相关专业的学生就读于两年制或四年制学术机构的理想机会。除了进行研究和参与职业发展研讨会外，参与者还在项目结束时提供海报和正式的口头报告。RET组成部分每年从大双城吸引六名教师进行为期六周的研究体验，另外还有25名教师参加由RET领导的为期三天的研讨会。RET参与者有他们自己的研究项目，并致力于开发和传播基于标准的初中和高中课堂工程实验室活动。教师连续参加两个暑假，并鼓励团队申请（来自同一学校或地区的两名教师）；参加连续的夏季活动可以对已开发的课堂活动进行修订和改进，同时参加小组活动可以减少对新材料的制度性阻力。REU和RET项目通过重复的测量调查和非正式的个人访谈和小组讨论进行持续评估，以便每年改进项目，并在项目期间通知变化，以满足每个独特群体的需求。REU/RET网站的综合要素旨在加强K-12科学、工程和技术方面的教育，特别是材料科学方面的教育，以提高K-12学生的兴趣，同时也为本科生的研究生和专业生涯做好准备。技术细节：在纳米材料REU网站是一个密集的10周的研究经验，暴露本科生跨学科材料研究。可供参与者参与的项目涉及范围广泛的“硬”到“软”材料：材料的静电控制；可持续纳米晶体材料；多层次多功能高分子材料。每个研究小组都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——这些都是材料研究和开发中有效创新所必需的。除了被分配一个独立的研究项目外，学生还参加了一系列旨在提供深入、刺激的研究体验的活动；培养与教师、研究生和博士后的师徒关系；并提高学生的技能，为研究生院和研究事业做准备。该站点的RET组件的参与者获得动手实验室经验，以帮助他们更好地理解科学和工程的实践，并随后将其传达给他们的学生。教师与在研究和教育方面有着杰出业绩的教职员工、博士后研究员和研究生合作，强调丰富的跨学科研究主题，然后将这些主题发展成课程元素和实验室活动，供K-12教室使用。REU和RET的组成部分都旨在促进和确保妇女、代表性不足的少数民族和残疾人参与培养下一代科学家和工程师。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.