REU Site: Research Opportunities in Interdisciplinary Water Sciences and Engineering

技术摘要：这个为期3年的NSF/REU网站的目标是每年夏天培训10名REU研究员，使用为期10周的水科学跨学科研究项目。这些研究项目由代表不同学术学科的专家指导，包括弗吉尼亚理工大学的工程学、地球科学、生物学、作物和土壤环境科学以及工业设计。REU研究员将通过每周研讨会、实地考察、多次口头报告、每周反思论文和项目结束研究论文，获得专业发展和跨学科队列经验的机会。研讨会的主题包括职业道德、为什么进行研究和如何进行研究、与研究生的小组讨论以及纳米技术等新兴技术在水研究中的使用。此外，他们还将有机会进行社交互动，这将加强他们之间以及与教职员工和研究生导师之间的个人和职业联系。网站组织者已经在2007-09和2011-13年度的前两个周期中毕业了56名REU研究员，该计划的所有组成部分都经过了学术评估专家的彻底评估。非技术性摘要：网站组织者成功地从各种代表性不足的群体中招聘了约60%的REU研究员，包括前两个周期的妇女。这一做法将在本周期内继续下去，并进一步注重从代表不同少数民族的团体和研究机会有限的机构招聘人员。拨款用于学生的津贴、住房、旅行和餐饮，使他们能够参与其中。来自不同科学和工程学科的学生将在10周的时间里合作学习，了解水研究的跨学科性质。在前两个周期中领导评估工作的一名外部专家将继续评估REU方案的有效性。该网站将进一步扩大未来水科学研究人员的队伍，他们将为应对与水有关的国家和国际挑战做出贡献。对前两个周期毕业生的调查结果显示，68%的受访者计划获得研究生学位(24%的博士学位和44%的S硕士学位)，80%的受访者未来将从事工程和科学研究。由衷感谢国家科学基金会欧洲经济共同体分部提供的资助。

TECHNICAL SUMMARY:The goal of this 3-year NSF/REU Site is to train 10 REU Fellows each summer using 10-week long interdisciplinary research projects in water sciences. These research projects are directed by experts representing a diverse group of academic disciplines including engineering, geosciences, biology, crop and soil environmental sciences, and industrial design at Virginia Tech. The REU Fellows will have opportunities for professional development and interdisciplinary cohort experiences through weekly seminars, field trips, multiple oral presentations, weekly reflection papers, and an end-of-program research paper. Examples of seminar topics include professional ethics, why research and how to do research, panel discussion with graduate students, and use of emerging technologies like nanotechnology in water research. In addition, they will have opportunities for social interactions that will enhance personal and professional bonding among themselves and with the faculty and graduate student mentors. The Site organizers have already graduated 56 REU Fellows in prior two cycles during 2007-09 and 2011-13 and all components of the program have been thoroughly assessed by experts in academic assessment. NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY:The Site organizers have been successful in recruiting about 60% of REU Fellows from various underrepresented groups including women in prior two cycles. This practice will be continued in this cycle with additional focus on recruitment from groups representing various ethnic minorities and from institutions with limited research opportunities. Funds are allocated for students' stipend, housing, travel, and meals for enabling their participation. Students from various science and engineering disciplines will work collaboratively over a 10-week period to learn about the interdisciplinary nature of water research. An external expert who has been leading the assessment work in prior two cycles will continue to assess the effectiveness of the REU program. The Site will further expand the pool of future researchers in water sciences who will contribute in addressing water related national and international challenges. Results of survey of our graduates from prior two cycles indicate that 68% of respondents plan to obtain a graduate degree (24% PhD and 44% Master?s) and 80% respondents will pursue a research career in engineering and science in the future. Funding support provided by the EEC division of the National Science Foundation is sincerely acknowledged.