Towards an LSAMP Discovery and Innovation Center for International Undergraduate Research Experiences

University Of Florida, Gainesville FL

Investigators

Abstract

The pilot program has a goal to develop international research experiences for Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) students. As such a Discovery and Innovation Center for International Undergraduate Research Experiences (LSAMP-INT) will be initiated. In this pilot, 16 participants will be recruited from LSAMP programs nationwide. These participants will be given deep immersion experiences in a variety of renowed research laboratories around the world. In particular, the students will be embedded in international (REU) Sites (iREU). About half of the participants will be sent to a set of primary iREU Sites involving France, Brazil, Argentina, and Ghana that are coordinated by the PIs through the University of Florida. The other half of the participants will be embedded in about 18 other iREU Sites that span much of the world and represent most directorates of NSF depending on the experience and interest of the LSAMP student participants. The cohort of students will share common predeparture and post-program experiences designed to maximize the broader impact of their international research experience. In particular, scientists at the Smithsonian and Florida Museum of Natural History will participate in the pilot program to enhance students' ability to communicate research to the public impacting public understanding of science. The pilot year will be the pre-cursor to a multi-year program to aid in the development of a diverse workforce with global science competencies critical to continued U. S. competitiveness.