Track 1: Using a Field Course in Africa to Enhance Diversity in Geophysics

该项目介绍了非洲裔美国人的物理，工程和数学本科生在非洲的夏季实地经验的物理学领域。然后鼓励参与的学生攻读物理学研究生学位。 目标受众是非洲裔美国大二和大三的本科生。许多进入物理学研究生课程的本科生获得物理学，数学或工程学的本科学位。通过在毕业前将非裔美国人的物理，工程和数学专业暴露于物理学，该项目旨在增加物理学研究生人口和未来劳动力的多样性。 参与该项目的学生了解物理学的就业机会，这样他们就知道一旦完成研究生学位，他们就可以找到工作。 从HBCU招募五名学生参加为期三周的物理学实地课程。该课程由宾夕法尼亚州立大学和威特沃特斯兰德大学（南非）与正在进行的非洲阵列项目共同举办。学生有机会继续与AfricaArray在非洲问题上的研究生水平，如果他们选择这样做。 参与的学生在去南非之前在宾夕法尼亚州立大学完成两周的教学，在实地体验之后在宾夕法尼亚州立大学完成一周的教学。宾夕法尼亚州立大学少数民族学生的夏季研究机会计划（SROP）在整个项目中与PI合作。

This project introduces African American physics, engineering, and math undergraduate students to the field of geophysics during a summer field experience in Africa. The participating students are then encouraged to pursue graduate degrees in geophysics. The target audience is African American sophomore- and junior-level undergraduate students. Many undergraduate students who enter graduate programs in geophysics earn undergraduate degrees in physics, math, or engineering. By exposing African American physics, engineering, and math majors to geophysics prior to graduation, the project aims to increase the diversity of the geophysics graduate student population and future workforce. Students that participate in the project are made aware of career opportunities in geophysics, so that they know jobs are available to them once they complete a graduate degree. Five students are recruited from HBCUs to participate in the 3-week geophysics field course. The course is run by Penn State and the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) in conjunction with the ongoing AfricaArray project. Students have the opportunity to continue working with AfricaArray on African problems at the graduate level if they choose to do so. Participating students complete two weeks of instruction at Penn State prior to going to South Africa, and one week of instruction at Penn State after the field experience. The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) for minority students at Penn State is collaborating with the PIs throughout the project.