REU Site: Summer Research Program in Materials Science and Nanotechnology

技术摘要：这个由NSF材料研究部支持的本科生研究体验(REU)项目将主要从几所合作的历史黑人学院和大学(HBCU)招募本科生，在新奥尔良大学进行专注于材料和纳米技术的夏季研究体验。通过在HBCU招生，该计划将最大限度地扩大1)来自代表性不足的群体的学生的参与，2)进入一个主要是本科生的机构，研究机会有限。除了进行研究，学生还将参加各种丰富活动，包括：1)每周互动式培训会议，为参与者提供基本的研究信息；2)会见在非正式环境中提供师生互动的院系计划；3)道德培训；4)参与者的夏末海报演示(包括先前的准备和演示技能培训)；以及5)旅行奖励，允许学生在全国科学会议上展示他们的研究成果。参与的教师将与本科生一起在研究实验室工作，并将参与所有充实计划。教师还将参加一个研究生课程，培训他们将研究概念融入他们的教学实践。在暑期参与后，每位教师将在他们的课堂上介绍至少一个新的教学模块，重点是纳米科学或材料科学。非技术综述：科学技术是社会的主要经济驱动力，纳米材料是一个新兴的经济重要性领域。新奥尔良大学的本科生研究经历(REU)网站将为学生提供熟悉相关职业和教育途径的机会，以便他们能够进入不断增长的纳米材料领域。REU网站将从少数族裔人口众多的学校招聘人才，以帮助实现科学劳动力的多样化。除了参与前沿研究外，学生还将参加各种丰富活动，以磨练他们的科学和演示技能。该项目还将涉及高中科学教师，这方面将通过培训教师如何让他们的学生参与纳米材料研究，帮助将该项目的好处扩大到更年轻的学生。总体而言，该项目将有助于培养美国本科生进入纳米材料领域，并最终为美国的技术和经济实力做出贡献。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY: This Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) project supported by the NSF Division of Materials Research will recruit undergraduate students primarily from several cooperating Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for a summer research experience focused on materials and nanotechnology at the University of New Orleans. By recruiting at HBCUs, the program will maximize involvement of students that are 1) from underrepresented groups and 2) attending a primarily undergraduate institution with limited research exposure. Along with conducting research, students will participate in a variety of enrichment activities including: 1) interactive weekly training meetings to provide participants with basic research information, 2) meet the Faculty programs that provide student-faculty interaction in an informal setting, 3) ethics training, 4) end of summer poster presentations by participants (including prior training on preparation and presentation skills), and 5) travel awards to allow students to present their research results at a national scientific meeting. Participating teachers will work in research labs alongside undergraduate students and will participate in all enrichment programs. The teachers will also attend a graduate course that will train them to incorporate research concepts into their teaching practices. Following summer participation, each teacher will introduce into their classrooms at least one new teaching module focusing on nanoscale science or materials science. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Science and technology are major economic drivers in society, and nanomaterials is a burgeoning area of economic importance. This Research Experiences for Undergraduate (REU) site at the University of New Orleans will provide opportunities for students to become familiar with relevant career and educational paths so that they can enter the growing field of nanomaterials. The REU site will recruit from schools with large minority populations in an effort to help diversify the scientific work force. In addition to participating in cutting edge research, students will also partake in various enrichment activities to sharpen their scientific and presentation skills. The project will also involve high school science teachers, and this aspect will help extend the benefits of the project to even younger students by training the teachers how to engage their students in the study of nanomaterials. Overall, the project will help train American undergraduates to enter the field of nanomaterials and eventually contribute to US technical and economic strength.