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

这个REU网站将吸引学生在有关墨西哥尤卡坦半岛水资源管理问题的研究。科学和工程专业的本科生将与来自北方伊利诺伊大学，东北伊利诺伊大学和尤卡坦科学研究中心的导师合作，研究与地下水补给，地下水污染和公共卫生以及地下水物理学有关的项目。这个REU网站的目标包括：在现场和实验室发展科学技能，安装在学生水资源问题的全球视角，发展参与者的沟通技巧，并发展国际科学合作的赞赏。学生的项目将相互关联，以更好地了解尤卡坦州的水问题在文化和历史背景。由于该研究项目是在墨西哥，包括文化方面，预计对该地区感兴趣的学生将被吸引申请。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，并在开放获取期刊上发表结果。在为期八周的时间里，该计划将提供一个高质量的研究环境和指导，以一个多元化的8名本科生，否则可能没有有机会在国际范围内从事科学活动。暑期活动将包括：（1）在北方伊利诺伊大学进行两周的学习，参加者将确定他们将在实地开展的研究，参加道德培训，讨论尤卡坦州文化与水问题之间的关系，获得安全和旅行信息，并与来自墨西哥的小组成员进行虚拟会面;（2）接下来的四周将在墨西哥进行采样和收集实地数据;参加者将住在远离旅游区的当地社区，以更深入地欣赏文化。在此期间，与会者将与墨西哥科学家和学生并肩工作;（3）最后两周与会者将返回北方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.