REU Site: Interdisciplinary Research Experience in Computational Sciences

计算模拟正在迅速崛起，成为与实验和理论并驾齐驱的研究分支。同时，自动化仪器存储了大量的测量数据。然而，只有在本科和研究生教育的进步与硬件的进步相伴而来的情况下，计算科学才能充分发挥其潜力。参加这项面向本科生的研究体验(REU)项目的30名本科生参与了各种计算科学项目，学习如何使用最先进的网络基础设施工具，管理大量数据，体验具有研究职业特点的活动，并在跨学科研究团队中工作。路易斯安那州立大学的计算与技术中心(CCT)为REU学生熟悉跨学科研究提供了理想的环境。在暑假的十周时间里，学生们与他们的导师在各种各样的计算科学项目上合作。随着研究小组探索引力波、材料科学中的复杂紧急现象或计算音乐和艺术，参与者致力于计算科学的尖端研究。通过培养下一代计算科学学生，该项目符合国家利益，正如NSF的使命所述：促进科学进步；促进国家健康、繁荣和福利；或确保国防安全。显然，需要对劳动力进行计算和计算科学方面的培训。但是，目前，大多数学生在课堂上几乎没有学到计算科学(CSCI)，也没有为CSCI研究或数据科学做好准备。这项提案提供了一种基于证据的方法来解决这些问题，并为下一代学生做好准备。目前CSCI教育的障碍之一是，尽管CSCI本质上是多学科的，但传统的学术部门在学科之间设定了严格的边界。由于路易斯安那州立大学计算与技术中心不是一个学术单位，它为REU的学生提供了一个通过参与多学科研究团队来熟悉跨学科研究的理想环境。在十周的时间里，参与者体验了一些具有研究生涯特色的活动，例如在学术论坛上展示他们的研究，以及致力于跨学科研究所需的软技能和硬技能。教师导师在个人和小组会议上与学生一起工作，他们提供的活动帮助学生认识到多学科研究的性质和团队合作的价值。在REU结束时，鼓励学生继续他们的CSCI研究并在他们的家乡机构展示他们的工作，向其他人介绍计算科学。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Computational simulations are rapidly emerging as a co-equal branch of inquiry with experiment and theory. In parallel, automated instruments store massive amounts of measurements. However, computational science will only fulfill its full potential if advances in undergraduate and graduate education accompany the advances in hardware. The 30 undergraduate students participating in this Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program are engaged with varied computational science projects, learn how to use state-of-the-art cyberinfrastructure tools, manage large amounts of data, experience activities that characterize research careers, and work in interdisciplinary research teams. The Center for Computation & Technology (CCT) at Louisiana State University provides an ideal setting for the REU student to become familiar with interdisciplinary research. For ten weeks in the summer, the students work collaboratively with their mentors on a wide variety of computational science projects. With research groups exploring gravitational waves, complex emergent phenomena in material science, or computational music and arts, the participants work on cutting edge research in computational sciences. By preparing the next generation of students in the computational sciences, this project serves the national interest, as stated by NSF's mission: to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity and welfare; or to secure the national defense.There is a clear need for training the workforce on computing and computational science. But, currently, the majority of students learn little, if any, Computational Science (CSci) in the classroom and are not prepared for CSci research or data science. This proposal provides an evidence-based approach to address these issues and prepare the next generation of students. One of the current barriers in CSci education is that while CSci is intrinsically multidisciplinary, traditional academic departments set rigid boundaries between disciplines. Because LSU Center for Computation & Technology is not an academic unit, it provides an ideal setting for the REU student to become familiar with interdisciplinary research by participating in a multidisciplinary research team. During ten weeks the participants experience activities that characterize research careers, such as presenting their research in scholarly forums, and working on the soft- and hard-skills needed in interdisciplinary research. Faculty mentors work with the students in individual and group meetings, and they provide activities that help students appreciate the nature of multidisciplinary research and the value of working as a team. At the conclusion of the REU, students are encouraged to continue their CSci research and present their work at their home institution, informing others about computational science.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.