Collaborative Research: REU Site: Water Resources and Quality in the Riviera Maya, Mexico

这个REU网站将让学生参与与墨西哥尤卡坦半岛水资源管理问题相关的研究。理工科本科生将与来自北伊利诺伊大学、伊利诺伊东北部大学和尤卡坦科学研究中心的教师导师合作，开展与地下水补给、地下水污染和公共卫生以及地下水地球物理相关的项目。该REU网站的目标包括：培养实地和实验室的科学技能，培养学生对水资源问题的全球视角，培养参与者的沟通技能，并培养对国际科学合作的欣赏。学生项目将相互关联，以便在文化和历史背景下更好地了解尤卡坦的水问题。由于该研究项目在墨西哥，涉及文化方面，预计将吸引对该地区感兴趣的学生申请。除了开展研究外，参与者还将为在线平台制作材料，与公众分享信息，在墨西哥向当地官员介绍研究结果，并在开放获取的期刊上发布结果。在为期八周的时间里，该项目将为八名本科生提供高质量的研究环境和指导，这些本科生可能没有机会在国际背景下参与科学活动。暑期体验将包括：(1)在北伊利诺伊大学的两周时间里，参与者将确定他们将在实地从事的研究，参与道德培训，讨论尤卡坦地区文化与水问题之间的关系，获得安全和旅行信息，并虚拟地会见来自墨西哥的团队成员；(2)接下来的四周将在墨西哥进行采样和收集实地数据；参与者将留在远离旅游区的当地社区，以更深入地了解当地文化。在此期间，参与者将与墨西哥科学家和学生并肩工作；以及(3)最后两周，参与者将返回北伊利诺伊大学继续进行数据分析和综合。

This REU site will engage students in research related to water resource management issues in the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Science and engineering undergraduate students will work with faculty mentors from Northern Illinois University, Northeastern Illinois University, and the Yucatán Center of Scientific Research on projects related to groundwater recharge, groundwater contamination and public health, and groundwater geophysics. The goals of this REU site include: develop scientific skills in the field and laboratory, install in students a global perspective of water resource issues, develop communication skills in the participants, and develop appreciation for international scientific collaborations. The student projects will be interconnected to better understand the water issues in Yucatán within a cultural and historical context. Because the research project is in Mexico and encompasses a cultural aspect, it is expected that students interested in the region will be attracted to apply. In addition to carrying out research, the participants will produce materials for online platforms to share information with the public, make presentations in Mexico to local officials about the research findings, and publish the results in open access journals.During an eight-week period, the program will provide a high quality research environment and mentoring to a diverse group of 8 undergraduate students that may not otherwise have the opportunity to be engaged in scientific activities in an international context. The summer experience will consist of: (1) two weeks at Northern Illinois University where participants will define the research they will pursue in the field, participate in ethics training, discuss the relationship between culture and water issues in Yucatán, receive safety and travel information, and virtually meet the team members from Mexico; (2) the next four weeks will be spent in Mexico sampling and collecting field data; the participants will stay in local neighborhoods, away from the tourist areas to gain more in-depth appreciation for the culture. During this period, participants will be working side by side with Mexican scientists and students; and (3) the last two weeks participants will return to Northern Illinois University to continue with data analyses and synthesis.