REU Site: An Inclusive Research Experience in ALpine Meteorology (REALM)

在高山气象学（REALM）的研究经验依赖于瓦萨奇山脉和邻近的城市地区的自然科学实验室，以提高学生对社会挑战的认识。社会面临的环境挑战，如水的可用性和空气质量，需要了解高山地形对天气和气候过程的影响。犹他州大学的大气科学系是山间西部天气和气候教育和研究的领先项目，并因其在与山区环境相关的大气研究方面的专业知识而获得国际认可，包括：地形降水的测量，分析和预测;火灾天气应用;和空气质量。 该部门有一个丰富的历史，涉及本科生的研究。继成功的REU计划在犹他州校园和其他机构的大学使用的模型，REALM已经开发了一个有凝聚力的框架来管理高质量的，基于队列的本科暑期课程。每年夏天，八名本科生将在犹他州大学的校园里度过十周，并在犹他州和科罗拉多的实地考察，在那里他们将有一个身临其境的研究经验。REALM包括一个独立的定性和定量评估，以确保项目目标得到满足，并正在为未来的REU计划开发一个可持续的模型。 REALM的目标是：1。让学生参与全职积极的研究; 2.为学生和导师提供专业发展机会; 3.通过构建引人入胜、包容性和支持性的队列体验，激励学生从事STEM职业，包括通过实地考察让他们了解天气、水和气候企业的就业机会;和4.提高学生的科学素养和口头及书面沟通技巧。 REALM旨在欢迎和支持学生在高度包容性的环境中在STEM中历史上代表性不足。 来自少数民族服务和2年制院校的REALM申请是通过有针对性的教师访问和利用现有网络招募的。REALM计划还旨在招募第一代大学生。为了创造一个包容和支持的环境，每个参与者将与一个指导团队互动，包括：1。一名指导教师，需要完成成功指导实践的培训，他将建议与本科生的兴趣和技能相关的研究课题; 2.一个沟通导师指导口头和书面沟通，最终在海报介绍; 3.编程导师，为学生提供完成项目所需的编码技能; 4.来自队列内的学生同伴导师; 5. REALM导师理事会将每两个月与所有REU学生会面，以鼓励他们的教育和专业发展。 暑期体验结束后，学生将有机会在全国科学会议上展示他们的研究成果。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。

The Research Experience in ALpine Meteorology (REALM) relies on the natural scientific laboratory of the Wasatch Mountains and adjacent urban areas, to enhance student awareness of societal challenges. Environmental challenges confronting society such as water availability and air quality, require understanding the influence of alpine terrain on weather and climate processes. The Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah is a leading program for weather and climate education and research in the Intermountain West and is recognized internationally for its expertise in atmospheric studies related to mountain environments, including: measurement, analysis and prediction of orographic precipitation; fire weather applications; and air quality. The department has a rich history of involving undergraduate students in research. Following the models used by successful REU programs on the University of Utah campus and at other institutions, REALM has developed a cohesive framework to manage a high-quality, cohort-based undergraduate summer program. Every summer, eight undergraduate students will spend ten weeks on campus at the University of Utah, and at field sites in Utah and Colorado, where they will have an immersive research experience. REALM includes an independent qualitative and quantitative evaluation to ensure the project goals are being met and a sustainable model for future REU programs is being developed. The objectives for REALM are to: 1. engage students in full-time active research; 2. provide professional development opportunities for students and mentors; 3. motivate students towards STEM careers by constructing an engaging, inclusive, and supportive cohort experience that includes exposing them through site visits to employment opportunities in the weather, water, and climate enterprise; and 4. improve students’ science literacy and oral and written communication skills. REALM is designed to welcome and support students historically underrepresented in STEM in a highly inclusive environment. REALM applications from minority serving and 2-year institutions are recruited via targeted faculty visits and the utilization of preexisting networks. The REALM program also aims to recruit first-generation college students. To create an inclusive and supportive environment, each participant will interact with a mentoring team that includes: 1. a faculty advisor, required to complete training on practices for successful mentoring, who will suggest a research topic relevant to the interests and skills of undergraduate students; 2. a communication mentor for guidance with both oral and written communication, that culminates in the final poster presentation; 3. a programming mentor to provide students with coding skills necessary to complete their projects; 4. a student peer mentor from within the cohort; 5. the REALM Mentorship Council that will meet bi-monthly with all REU students to encourage their educational and professional development. After the summer experience, students will have the opportunity to present their research at a national scientific conference.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.