Physics REU Site Director Workshop

American Physical Society, College Park MD

Investigators

Abstract

This award supports a two-day workshop for NSF-Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Physics Site directors both to discuss effective practices in the current REU programs as well as to learn more about effective practices in programs outside of the NSF-REU Physics Sites. In particular, the participants will learn about current results in assessment of undergraduate research experiences and programs that have increased the diversity in undergraduate research programs from other disciplines and discuss how to adapt/adopt these ideas for Physics REU sites. Participants will discuss the current challenges and opportunities they face in their individual programs as well as challenges faced by the Physics REU-Site program as a whole and devise a plan for addressing these issues. The program serves the national interests by not only promoting the advancement of science carried out at the REU Sites by research mentors and their undergraduate proteges, but by training the next generation of science researchers. In addition, the report developed as a part of this project will be a resource that all Physics undergraduate research programs (not just NSF REU sites) can utilize to improve their undergraduate research programs.