REU Site: Role Model in Sciences (REU-RMS)

Cal Poly Humboldt Sponsored Programs Foundation, Arcata CA

Investigators

Abstract

This funding renews a Research Experience for Undergraduates site focused on interdisciplinary research incorporating the science of design at Humboldt State University. Via an experiential-based learning approach, students expand their understanding of creativity and design in the course of building their own design toolkits. They then use their toolkits to pursue open-ended research in the areas of software systems, embedded systems and mobile robotics, geographical information systems, mathematics modeling, industrial technology, and graphical and studio art. The project includes mentorship by experienced computer science faculty members, oral presentations and seminars, ethics training, and other professional development opportunities. The site emphasizes recruitment of groups traditionally underrepresented in computer science and related fields through a well-established institutional infrastructure. This site is co-funded by the Department of Defense in partnership with the NSF REU program. The intellectual merit of this project lies in strong research basis and the expertise of the team. The projects are in major current research areas that are of interest to the community at large and that have clear practical applications. The broader impacts of the project include providing a quality research experience to undergraduate students, particularly women and students from underrepresented groups. Thus this project has the potential to produce new computer science graduate students and faculty members and to advance discovery and understanding while promoting learning.