REU Site: An Inclusive Research Experience in ALpine Meteorology (REALM)

高山气象学（REALM）的研究经验依赖于瓦萨奇山脉和邻近城市地区的自然科学实验室，以提高学生对社会挑战的认识。社会面临的环境挑战，如水资源供应和空气质量，需要了解高山地形对天气和气候过程的影响。犹他大学大气科学系是西部山间地区天气和气候教育和研究的领先项目，并因其在与山区环境有关的大气研究方面的专业知识而获得国际认可，包括：地形降水的测量、分析和预测；火灾天气应用；还有空气质量。该系在让本科生参与研究方面有着悠久的历史。根据犹他大学校园和其他机构成功的REU项目所使用的模式，REALM开发了一个有凝聚力的框架来管理一个高质量的、基于队列的本科暑期项目。每年夏天，8名本科生将在犹他大学（University of Utah）的校园里，以及犹他州和科罗拉多州的实地研究基地度过10周的时间，在那里他们将获得身临其境的研究体验。REALM包括一个独立的定性和定量评估，以确保项目目标得到满足，并为未来的REU计划开发一个可持续的模型。REALM的目标是：1。让学生全职从事积极的研究；2. 为学生及导师提供专业发展机会；3. 通过构建具有吸引力、包容性和支持性的队列体验，包括通过实地考察让学生接触天气、水和气候企业的就业机会，激励学生从事STEM职业；和4。提高学生的科学素养和口头、书面沟通能力。REALM旨在在高度包容的环境中欢迎和支持STEM中历史上代表性不足的学生。通过有针对性的教师访问和利用现有网络，从少数民族服务机构和两年制机构招募REALM应用程序。REALM项目还旨在招募第一代大学生。为了创造一个包容和支持的环境，每个参与者将与一个指导团队进行互动，该团队包括：一名指导教师，需要完成成功指导实践的培训，他将提出与本科生兴趣和技能相关的研究课题；2. 一名沟通导师，在口头和书面沟通方面提供指导，并在最终的海报展示中达到高潮；3. 编程导师，为学生提供完成项目所需的编程技能；4. 一名同辈学生导师；5. REALM指导委员会将每两个月与所有REU学生会面，鼓励他们的教育和专业发展。暑期实习结束后，学生将有机会在国家科学会议上展示他们的研究成果。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The Research Experience in ALpine Meteorology (REALM) relies on the natural scientific laboratory of the Wasatch Mountains and adjacent urban areas, to enhance student awareness of societal challenges. Environmental challenges confronting society such as water availability and air quality, require understanding the influence of alpine terrain on weather and climate processes. The Department of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah is a leading program for weather and climate education and research in the Intermountain West and is recognized internationally for its expertise in atmospheric studies related to mountain environments, including: measurement, analysis and prediction of orographic precipitation; fire weather applications; and air quality. The department has a rich history of involving undergraduate students in research. Following the models used by successful REU programs on the University of Utah campus and at other institutions, REALM has developed a cohesive framework to manage a high-quality, cohort-based undergraduate summer program. Every summer, eight undergraduate students will spend ten weeks on campus at the University of Utah, and at field sites in Utah and Colorado, where they will have an immersive research experience. REALM includes an independent qualitative and quantitative evaluation to ensure the project goals are being met and a sustainable model for future REU programs is being developed. The objectives for REALM are to: 1. engage students in full-time active research; 2. provide professional development opportunities for students and mentors; 3. motivate students towards STEM careers by constructing an engaging, inclusive, and supportive cohort experience that includes exposing them through site visits to employment opportunities in the weather, water, and climate enterprise; and 4. improve students’ science literacy and oral and written communication skills. REALM is designed to welcome and support students historically underrepresented in STEM in a highly inclusive environment. REALM applications from minority serving and 2-year institutions are recruited via targeted faculty visits and the utilization of preexisting networks. The REALM program also aims to recruit first-generation college students. To create an inclusive and supportive environment, each participant will interact with a mentoring team that includes: 1. a faculty advisor, required to complete training on practices for successful mentoring, who will suggest a research topic relevant to the interests and skills of undergraduate students; 2. a communication mentor for guidance with both oral and written communication, that culminates in the final poster presentation; 3. a programming mentor to provide students with coding skills necessary to complete their projects; 4. a student peer mentor from within the cohort; 5. the REALM Mentorship Council that will meet bi-monthly with all REU students to encourage their educational and professional development. After the summer experience, students will have the opportunity to present their research at a national scientific conference.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.