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

高山气象学研究体验(REAL)依赖于瓦萨奇山脉和邻近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，如可用水和空气质量，要求了解高山地形对天气和气候过程的影响。犹他大学大气科学系是西部山区天气和气候教育和研究的领先项目，其在与山区环境相关的大气研究方面的专业知识在国际上享有盛誉，包括：地形降水的测量、分析和预测；火灾天气应用；以及空气质量。该系有让本科生参与研究的丰富历史。按照犹他大学校园和其他机构成功的REU项目所使用的模式，Realm开发了一个统一的框架来管理高质量的、以队列为基础的本科生暑期项目。每年夏天，8名本科生将在犹他大学的校园内以及犹他州和科罗拉多州的实地考察地点度过10周，在那里他们将获得身临其境的研究体验。该领域包括独立的定性和定量评估，以确保项目目标得到实现，并为未来的REU计划制定一个可持续的模式。该领域的目标是：1.让学生参与全职的积极研究；2.为学生和导师提供职业发展机会；3.通过构建一个吸引人的、包容的和支持性的队列体验，激励学生走向STEM职业生涯，包括通过实地访问让他们接触到天气、水和气候企业的就业机会；以及4.提高学生的科学素养和口头和书面沟通技能。Realm旨在高度包容的环境中欢迎和支持STEM历史上代表性不足的学生。通过有针对性的教师访问和利用现有的网络，招募来自少数族裔服务机构和两年制机构的领域申请。该领域计划还旨在招收第一代大学生。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，该团队包括：1.完成成功指导实践的培训的教师顾问，他将建议与本科生的兴趣和技能相关的研究主题；2.口头和书面交流的沟通导师，最终形成最终海报演示；3.编程导师，为学生提供完成他们的项目所需的编程技能；4.队列中的学生同行导师；5.领域导师委员会，将每两个月与所有REU学生举行一次会议，以鼓励他们的教育和职业发展。暑期体验结束后，学生们将有机会在全国科学会议上展示他们的研究。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。

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.