Travel Assistance Awards for Symposium Undergraduate Research in Polymer Science at 2008 Spring National ACS Meeting in New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008

学术价值。通过为参与的本科生提供机会，展示他们在国家一级的创造性学术活动的成果，研讨会，这是专门致力于承认和庆祝学生的杰出工作，是最有效的手段之一，以激励这些学生和智力刺激他们进一步在研究生教育的兴趣。研讨会将为参与的学生提供一个机会，讨论他们的研究项目，并与其他学生，研究生研究人员，教师和专业科学家交换意见。此外，学生将练习演讲技巧，并获得宝贵的经验，在一个首演，国家级，专业的科学会议上介绍研究。更广泛的影响。研讨会将提供表彰优秀的本科生在聚合物科学和工程，以促进网络和曝光，介绍研究生研究和教育的机会，并帮助发展未来的领导者在学术界和工业界的职业生涯。研讨会还将为学生和指导教师提供一个机会，见证学生项目如何提高教师的研究，也服务于更大的社区。此外，它将为未来几代研究生提供动力。那些还没有从事这些研究的人可以了解他们的同学是如何发展他们的研究兴趣的。“科学家什么时候才能成为科学家？”当一个人知道许多事实，甚至深入了解自然世界的某些方面时，这并不是一种幸福。我认为，当对一种现象的好奇心导致对新知识的探究时，这种转变就会发生。这可能发生在一个人对一个主题的知识很少或很多。这是一种调查的态度”。

Intellectual merit.By providing the opportunity for participating undergraduate students to display theresults of their creative academic activities at the national level, the Symposium, which isspecifically dedicated to recognize and celebrate the students' exceptional work, is one of themost effective means to motivate these students and intellectually stimulate their further interestin graduate education. The symposium will give participating students a chance to discuss theirresearch projects and exchange ideas with other students, graduate researchers, faculty andprofessional scientists. In addition students will practice presentation skills and gain invaluableexperience presenting research at a premiere, national level, professional scientific conference.Broader Impact.The symposium will serve to provide recognition to outstanding undergraduate studentsin polymer science and engineering, to foster networking and exposure, to introduceopportunities in graduate research and education and to help develop the careers of future leadersin both academia and industry. The symposium will also offer an occasion for students andsupervising faculty to witness how student projects enhance faculty research and also serve thegreater community. Additionally, it will provide motivation for future generations ofundergraduate students. Those who are not engaged in these pursuits as yet can learn how theirfellow students developed their research interests."When does a scientist become a scientist? It is not when a person knows many facts andeven understands in depth some aspect of the natural world. I would suggest the transitionoccurs when curiosity about a phenomenon leads to an inquiry for new knowledge. This canoccur in a person with little or lots of knowledge about a subject. It is an attitude of inquiry".