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网站将来自全国范围内的申请者中有才华的本科生带到UMN校园，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。每个参与者都在跨学科研究小组内进行独立的研究项目。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在两年或四年制学术机构就读的理想机会。除了进行研究和参加职业发展研讨会外，参与者还将在课程结束时提供海报和正式的口头陈述。可再生能源部分每年从较大的双子城吸引六名教师进行为期六周的研究经验，并吸引25名教师参加为期三天的可再生能源主导的讲习班。可再生能源技术的参与者有自己的研究项目，并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。教师参加连续两个夏天，并鼓励申请该计划作为团队（来自同一所学校或地区的两名教师）;参加连续夏季允许修改和改进已开发的课堂活动，而参加团队减少了对新材料的机构阻力。REU和RET计划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，以每年改进计划，并在计划期间通知变化，以满足每个独特群体的需求。REU/RET网站的组合元素旨在提高K-12教育在科学，工程和技术一般，特别是材料科学，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。技术课程：REU纳米材料网站是一个密集的10周的研究经验，使本科生接触跨学科材料研究。提供给参与者的项目涉及广泛的“硬”到“软”材料：材料的静电控制;可持续的纳米晶体材料;和分层多功能高分子材料。每个研究小组都整合了材料科学与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-这是材料研究和开发有效创新所需的。除了被分配一个独立的研究项目，学生参加旨在提供深入，刺激的研究经验的活动的全面集合;促进与教师，研究生和博士后研究员的指导关系;并提高学生的技能，为研究生院和研究生涯做准备。该网站可再生能源部分的参与者获得动手实验室经验，以帮助他们更好地了解科学和工程实践，并随后将其传达给学生。教师与教师，博士后研究员和研究生合作，在研究和教育方面有着杰出的记录，强调丰富的跨学科研究课题，然后将其发展为课程元素和实验室活动，用于K-12教室。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下一代科学家和工程师的培养。该奖项反映了NSF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.