Annual Nevada NSF EPSCo R Climate Change Meeting

Annual Nevada NSF EPSCo. R Climate Change Meeting 13 February 2012 Promoting the undergraduate research experience: What can we learn from feedback provided by NSF-EPSCo. R undergraduate researchers? Michael W. Collopy Office of Undergraduate and Interdisciplinary Research University of Nevada, Reno

UROP Student Responses • NSF-EPSCo. R Annual Award – 2009 -2010 (15 recipients) – 2010 -2011 (15 recipients) – 83% (n=25) response rate • NSF EPSCo. R Summer Award – 2010 (13 recipients) – 2011 (15 recipients) – 86% (n=24) response rate • All data were pooled (n=49; 84% response rate)

How did you hear about this research opportunity? 73% 15% 6% 4% 2% Email Website Faculty member Another student Other Flyer/poster

At which institution did you conduct your research? 53% 33% 10% 2% 2%

Have you previously received an Undergraduate Research Award? 90% Yes No 10%

What did you learn as a result of preparing the proposal? (Check all that apply) 81% 73% 58% 54% 60% 71% 4%

Characterize your research project (Check all that apply) 75% 46% 52% 8% 92% 77% 81% 90% 92% 4%

On average, how many hours a week did you meet with your mentor during your research project? 38% 15% 15% 10% 4% 4% Length of time

Overall, please rate your experience with your research mentor(s). 67% 10% 6% Excellent Good Average Fair Poor

Please rate the value of this Undergraduate Research Award as a learning experience. 65% 29% 6% Fantastic-a great way to learn Learned a lot So-so Did not learn a lot Waste of time

How do your current feelings compare to the expectations you had for the research experience? 38% 10% 33% 17% 2%

If you had the opportunity, how likely is it that you would choose to do more undergraduate research? 65% 10% 6% Extremely likely Very likely Somewhat likely 4% Neither likely nor unlikely Not likely I would, however I graduate soon

Which most closely represents this research experience’s influence on your plans for continuing on to graduate school ? Already planned to go and still do 54% Increased my interest 33% Decreased my interest 6% Did not plan to go and still don’t 6%

Student Comments: Concerns “I had trouble condensing the proposal into the 2 page maximum” “More direction regarding requirements for abstract” “It was cumbersome merging several word documents into a pdf” “We weren’t told whether or not we were accepted for two months, nearly a month longer than I had expected. ” “Because the grant money was allocated so late, I felt I had very little time to run an effective experiment. ” “We weren’t given our funding within a reasonable amount time” “The most difficult part was not receiving any scholarship money or funding until literally half way through the award period. ”

Student Comments: Positive Feedback “After working with my mentor, not only do I feel more prepared to take on my upper level classes, but I feel more prepared for real world research as well. ” “My experience has taught me a lot and has provided me with countless insights that I can take with me into my professional and graduate career. ” “My mentor did a wonderful job of guiding me through this process. He brought my attention to subtle details of the research and I would not have known on my own. ” “My mentor played performance and dedication to this project was excellent and vital. ” “I could not have asked for a better mentor. ”

Student Comments: Positive Feedback “My mentor has given me encouragement to do my best. I feel that he has given me the tools I need to be successful now and in the future. ” “This experience is invaluable. Looking back, I was naïve to think I could make it through graduate school without it. ” “This is a better way to understand materials learned from classes. ” “My research experience was completely ideal and gave me the great insight into what I have to look forward to. ” “Thank you for this opportunity to be a part what I feel turned out to be valuable and relevant research, and a great experience between the research, the presentation of findings and support. ”

Lessons Learned • Students hear about UG research opportunities from faculty • Most are having their first research experience • Most have an excellent experience with mentor • Most find this a valuable learning experience • Most would do again, if possible • Half of our students found this experience better than they expected • Half of our students already planned on going to graduate school; however, another third are now more interested in going • Delays in distribution of awards has created hardships and frustration for students

Questions?