REU Site: Embracing Blockchain for a Secure and Trustworthy Tomorrow

博伊西州立大学将为本科生提供一个研究经验（REU）站点，该站点将为学生提供有意义和有影响力的学习和研究经验，特别是专注于区块链技术及其在安全领域的应用。区块链技术正在经历信息存储、保护和分发方式的根本性转变。这项突破性的技术不仅有可能提高现有社会进程的安全性，而且有可能创造出以前无法想象的全新系统。区块链的各种应用扩展到各个领域，包括分散的身份管理，通过端到端可追溯性保护供应链，以及增强医疗提供商的健康信息系统的安全性。该项目旨在实现三个关键目标。首先，它旨在培养学生进行合作研究，通过强调获得有效的团队合作和合作解决问题所必需的技能来促进他们的专业发展。其次，该计划旨在培养一个强大而多样化的申请者，他们拥有成为b区块链技术领域未来领导者所需的知识、技能和专业知识。最后，该项目旨在通过积极促进来自代表性不足群体的合格个人参与STEM，为下一代计算机科学家的发展做出贡献。在整个REU项目中，参与者将被介绍区块链技术的基本原理和操作方面。该方法包括每年让10名参与者参与以团队为基础的合作研究，目标是探索和原型化创新解决方案，以应对目前限制b区块链充分发挥潜力的技术挑战。传播策略包括在知识共享许可下在项目网站上提供教学和评估材料。此外，关于REU过程和学生成果的报告将在学术会议和专门针对计算机科学的学术期刊上进行，包括计算机科学教育、社会科学和教育学科。本项目由美国国家科学基金会CISE REU计划和促进竞争性研究的既定计划（EPSCoR）共同资助。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。

Boise State University will offer a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site which will provide students with meaningful and impactful learning and research experiences, concentrating specifically on blockchain technology and its applications in security. Blockchain technology is undergoing a fundamental shift in the way information is stored, secured, and distributed. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to not only improve the safety and security of established societal processes but also to enable the creation of entirely new systems that were previously inconceivable. The diverse applications of blockchain extend across various domains, encompassing decentralized identity management, securing supply chains through end-to-end traceability, and enhancing the security of health information systems for medical providers. This project is designed to achieve three key objectives. First, it aims to prepare students for collaborative research, fostering their professional development by emphasizing the acquisition of skills essential for effective teamwork and cooperative problem-solving. Second, the program seeks to cultivate a robust and diverse pool of applicants who possess the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to emerge as future leaders in the field of blockchain technology. Finally, the project aims to contribute to the development of the next generation of computer scientists by actively promoting the involvement of qualified individuals from underrepresented groups in STEM. Throughout the REU program, participants will be introduced to the fundamental principles and operational aspects of blockchain technology. The approach involves engaging 10 participants every year in collaborative, team-based research with the goal of exploring and prototyping innovative solutions to the technical challenges that currently limit the full potential of blockchain. Dissemination strategies encompass making instructional and evaluation materials available on the project website under a creative commons license. Additionally, reporting on the REU process and student outcomes will take place at academic conferences and in academic journals specific to computer science, including computer science education, social science, and education disciplines.This project is jointly funded by the NSF CISE REU Program and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).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.