National Physics REU Leadership Group Workshop and Community-Building

让本科生参与研究是高质量本科物理教育的关键组成部分，提供实践物理学家使用的方法的实践培训，并接触尖端科学。NSF的本科生物理研究体验(REU)项目包括50多个物理REU站点项目，每年服务于1000多名学生，近四分之一的物理专业学生报告称，他们在毕业前参加了REU体验。为了实现物理REU站点的巨大影响潜力，物理REU站点的负责人作为一个社区聚集在一起，成立了NSF物理REU领导小组(NPRLG)，该小组致力于提高本科生的研究体验。美国物理学会(APS)提供这个实践社区蓬勃发展所需的基础设施支持。该项目旨在加强NPRLG和APS的集体努力，以改善本科生的研究机会。鉴于REU站点在寿命、人员和编程方面的广泛范围，定期面对面的站点领导人聚会对于培养优秀的物理REU项目至关重要。需要举办这样一个讲习班，以便为REU现场物理主任提供机会，分享有效的做法，向相关专家学习，发展现场领导人网络，并确定和实施社区范围的倡议。REU网站领导人之间的有效实践分享最终支持了本科生物理研究人员及其导师的专业发展。此外，该项目旨在改善物理REU站点中未被充分代表的少数族裔学生，促进使用高质量的评估工具来评估项目，并确定通过协调行动改善REU项目的其他机会。最后，这个项目的影响有可能超越物理REU项目，惠及主办机构的其他本科生研究活动。NSF物理REU领导小组(NPRLG)是一个由50多名物理REU站点主任组成的社区，致力于通过分享有效实践和社区范围的倡议来提高本科生的研究经验。该项目将开展以下活动：(1)为全国妇女地位小组举办一次面对面讲习班；(2)通过在线论坛和视频会议，持续开展全国妇女地位小组的虚拟参与；(3)讲习班报告和传播有效做法的网络资源；(4)实施共同评估工具；(5)与少数群体服务组织进行代表交流，以促进招募和融入工作。该项目将促进REU站点领导人之间有效实践的分享，最终支持本科生物理研究人员及其导师的专业发展。为了促进参与者学习和建立关系，面对面研讨会将强调互动形式，如小组讨论、小组讨论和结构化网络活动等。国家减贫战略小组外部的一名评估员将对讲习班参与者进行面对面调查，以评估成果，包括采用有效做法和对拟议的集体行动采取后续行动。该项目将通过研讨会报告促进传播，报告中确定了目标和最佳实践，将通过会议演讲和更广泛的物理学社区内的网页以及物理以外的REU项目共享。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Engaging undergraduates in research is a critical component of a high-quality undergraduate physics education, providing hands-on training on methods used by practicing physicists and exposure to cutting-edge science. The NSF Physics Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program includes over 50 Physics REU site programs serving over 1,000 students each year, and nearly one-quarter of all physics majors report participating in a REU experience before they graduate. In order to realize the large potential for impact across Physics REU sites, Physics REU site directors came together as a community and formed the NSF Physics REU Leadership Group (NPRLG), which is committed to enhancing undergraduate student research experiences. The American Physical Society (APS) provides infrastructure support needed for this community of practice to thrive. This project aims to enhance the collective efforts of NPRLG and APS to improve undergraduate research opportunities.Given the wide range in REU sites with respect to longevity, personnel, and programming, a regular in-person gathering of site leaders is critical to fostering excellence in Physics REU programs. Such a workshop is needed to provide an opportunity for physics REU site directors to share effective practices, to learn from relevant experts, to develop a network of site leaders, and to identify and pursue community-wide initiatives. Sharing of effective practices among REU site leaders ultimately supports the professional development of undergraduate physics researchers and their mentors. In addition, the project aims to improve inclusion of underrepresented minority students at Physics REU sites, foster use of a high-quality assessment tool for evaluating programs, and identify other opportunities to improve REU programs through coordinated action. Finally, the impact of this project has the potential to transfer beyond Physics REU programs to benefit other undergraduate research activities at host institutions.The NSF Physics REU Leadership Group (NPRLG) is a community of over 50 Physics REU site directors committed to enhancing undergraduate student research experiences through sharing of effective practices and community-wide initiatives. The project will carry out: (i) an in-person workshop for the NPRLG, (ii) ongoing virtual engagement of the NPRLG via an online forum and videoconferences, (iii) a workshop report and web resources for dissemination of effective practices, (iv) the implementation of a common assessment instrument, and (v) delegate exchanges with minority serving organizations to facilitate recruitment and inclusion efforts. The project will promote sharing of effective practices among REU site leaders, which ultimately supports the professional development of undergraduate physics researchers and their mentors. To promote participant learning and relationship building, the in-person workshop will emphasize interactive formats such as small-group discussions, panel discussions, and structured networking activities, among other activities. An evaluator external to the NPRLG will survey in-person workshop participants to assess outcomes, including adoption of effective practices and follow-up on proposed collective actions. The project will promote dissemination through a workshop report with identified goals and best practices, which will be shared via conference presentations and a webpage within the broader physics community and with REU programs outside of Physics.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.