Christopher S. Kim, Chapman University Marianne Smith, Citrus College Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in Earth and Environmental Sciences Funded by NSF-EAR #

Chapman University, REU Site (?) Private comprehensive regional university (#7 in West) 6300 undergraduates, 1800 graduate students Teacher/scholar model: excellence in undergraduate research mentoring Within a 30-mile radius: 250,000 community college students! Orange, CA

SURFEES Program Objectives – Provide transformative research experiences to students from 2- year institutions that lack substantial research facilities – Increase the participation of under-represented students, particularly Hispanics, women and low-income individuals, in hands-on scientific research and increase their confidence level in conducting research – Develop scientifically-literate, experienced participants who persist, transfer into and graduate with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) baccalaureate degrees – Increase student awareness of earth and environmental issues and career opportunities in environmental areas

Participating community colleges Within 5-30 mile range from Chapman campus Targets: – 50% female (2014: 80%) – 50% under-represented minority (60%) – 50% low-income (≥60%)

The application process Goal: identifying students most likely to have transformative research experiences – Extensive application/interview process – Ranking of 11 science research areas – More broadly-worded essay questions – In-person interviews with detailed scoring rubric – Minimum 2 evaluators for each application and interview – Communication with faculty mentors for final selection

Program at a Glance Dates: Mon. 6/16/14 – Fri. 8/8/14 (8 weeks) Housing: Provided in Harris Apartments (kitchenettes) Compensation: $4K to students, $1K to faculty mentor, $1K in lab research/equipment costs Preparation (faculty): – 2 pre-summer faculty mentor training sessions – Mid-term and end-of-term faculty evaluations – Post-experience follow-up debriefing Preparation (students): – 2 pre-summer on-campus training sessions Tour of labs; lab safety; data analysis (Excel); lab notebooks Scientific literature; tour of housing; first meeting with mentors

Details cont. Weekly Professional Development Workshops – Resumes, transferring to 4YC, scholarships, grad programs, public speaking, Weekly Earth and Env. Science Lecture Series – Participating faculty mentors, environmental organizations End-of-summer poster presentation/reception Opportunity to present at Chapman University Student Research Day, other conferences

SURFEES assessment plan Survey of Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE) III assessment instruments: – Preflection Survey (2-3 weeks prior) – SURE III (1 week post-experience) – SURE Follow-Up Survey (6-9 months post) Focus group interviews: – Prior to start of program – End of program – 6-month post-program

Key components/lessons Detailed application process helped maximize student outcomes, faculty satisfaction Paired research projects (with each other or with current Chapman undergraduates) were more successful and productive On-campus housing was critical to creating a strong cohort culture Pre-summer training sessions helped ease transitions from 2YC to Chapman