Howard/Hopkins/Prince George's Community College - Partnership for Research and Education in Materials

Howard University, Washington DC

Investigators

Abstract

Howard University, the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Prince Georges Community College (PGCC) are joining together in this Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM). The shared goal is to systematically identify and support students from under-represented minority communities. The PREM project will enable them to a) envision, b) train for, and c) begin materials science and engineering careers. Each step is as important as the next. The PREM team combines sophisticated approaches for advanced materials science and engineering research with demonstrated success in recruiting, supporting and training African-Americans for materials related careers. Scientific training occurs in the context of research. The PREM team will study nanowire growth and phenomenology in three areas which join together established research efforts in the JHU Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) and at Howard. They are 1) transport properties in Bi nanowires; 2) transport properties in InN nanowires; and 3) fabrication of dipolar nitride nanowires for nonlinear optical elements. The PREM will assist Howard's efforts to better integrate its primarily African American student body into the international research community and improve its materials education infrastructure. The PREM will provide Howard undergraduates summer research opportunities at Hopkins and graduate students will be able to do a significant part of their research in the Hopkins MRSEC. There will be co-advising of Howard PREM students by Hopkins MRSEC PIs, and pairing of senior JHU MRSEC students as preceptors with Howard PREM students. Hopkins will benefit when well-prepared Howard graduates enroll. PGCC students involved in PREM activities will have opportunities for summer research at Howard. PGCC and Howard have an existing articulation agreement, which the students can use to continue their studies. PREM support for materials education at Howard and PGCC will improve interdisciplinary materials education. Few freshmen know what materials science or engineering is. This is even more the case for community college students who tend to come from minority communities or are first in their family to attend college. PGCC has designed web based guided inquiry courses which are not only effective ways of teaching science but also a good introduction to research. PGCC will take the lead in producing materials centered, guided-inquiry software suited to college and high school classes. Broad dissemination of the modules will inform students about the impact materials have on their lives and attract them to materials related studies. The webbased modules can be used for undergraduate courses and by high school students taking AP courses. This PREM will build a pipeline for materials research careers among African Americans.