Research Experiences for Undergraduate Engineering Students

Hsieh, Sheng‐Jen

doi:10.18260/1-2--22425

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 7 publications

(7 reference statements)

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“…Providing undergraduate engineering students co-curricular learning opportunities to deepen their knowledge of recent STEM advances will enable them to become engineers who are primed to innovate and push the boundaries of existing knowledge. It also provides students access to a research community for interaction with other researchers [8] and opportunity to engage in active learning [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Board 131: Investigating the Impact of a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Research Experience on Student Learning (Work in Progress)

Idiaghe,

Deters

2023 ASEE Annual Conference &Amp; Exposition Proceedings

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Board 131: Investigating the Impact of a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Research Experience on Student Learning (Work in Progress)

Idiaghe,

Deters

2023 ASEE Annual Conference &Amp; Exposition Proceedings

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Preliminary Evaluation of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program: A Methodology for Examining Student Outcomes

Jake

Follmer

Zappe

et al.

2015 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition Proceedings

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The current study presented an initial evaluation, following Year 1, of a National Science Foundation (NSF) sponsored Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in chemical engineering conducted at a large Mid-Atlantic research university. A methodology for evaluating student outcomes from undergraduate research experiences was also proposed. Evaluation of the REU program relied upon an extensive assessment methodology, utilizing preand post-survey measures of research and scientific-based experiences and skills as well as indepth student and faculty mentor interviews of REU experiences, gains, and perceived benefits. Participants (n = 21; 25% female; 42% underrepresented minority status) evidenced significant gains in broad research experience and specific research-based skills and experiences after completing the REU program. Specific production metrics, ratings of research experiences, as well as initial graduate school plans and outcomes, were also obtained. Results indicated involvement in presentations and publications as well as moderate to high ratings of core REU experiences.A key finding from the study is the clarifying role the REU program played in facilitating students' graduate school plans; results support REU programs as a refining experience rather than a prompting experience for graduate school outcomes. Qualitative analysis of student interview data revealed a perceived significant benefit of working collaboratively with other students while engaged in the research experience and an increased and improved understanding of the nature of research. Qualitative analysis of faculty mentor interview data corroborated the perceived benefits of student pairing and research collaboration, and also noted the ability of student pairing to facilitate student work and time management. Despite high ratings of core REU program elements, students expressed a desire for more time working with and under the advisement of faculty mentors. Across students and faculty mentors, suggestion was made for the inclusion of additional social and related events and programs to further facilitate research collaboration and integration during the program. Limitations, recommendations for improvement of the REU program and for future evaluation of the REU, and implications for institutions interested in implementing REU programs are discussed.

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Examining Student Outcomes from a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program: Year Two Results

Follmer

Zappe²,

Gomez

et al.

2016 ASEE Annual Conference &Amp; Exposition Proceedings

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The importance of undergraduate research experiences in facilitating students' research-based skills and development has been supported in numerous studies [1][2][3][4] . The current study presents a follow-up, second-year evaluation of an in-progress research experiences for undergraduates (REU) program, funded by the National Science Foundation, which focuses on the integration of biology and materials. Participating students (N=13; 39% female; 54% underrepresented minority status) completed measures of research-based skills and experience, likelihood of pursuing graduate school, and openness to collaborating with others both prior to and after completion of the ten week REU program. Participants also completed in-depth interviews as well as measures of REU program satisfaction and ratings of REU program elements after completing the REU.Students demonstrated significant gains in measures of research experience and specific research-based skills. Students also rated themselves as open to collaborating with other students and faculty during research both before and after completing the program. Ratings of program elements indicated positive ratings of the working relationship with research mentors, the working relationship with research group members, the amount of time spent with research mentors, and the advice given about graduate school. Improvement was suggested for the element of amount of time spent doing meaningful research. REU program participants indicated anticipated completion of a presentation, talk, or poster at a professional conference (25%) and involvement in co-writing a paper for either an academic journal or an undergraduate research journal (33%). Approximately 58% of participants indicated plans for some level of graduate school at program completion.Interviews of program participants corroborated the indication of research-based gains and provided a more in-depth understanding of impact of the program. Specifically, interviews provided information about participants' interests in pursuing the program, perceptions of the effectiveness of specific program elements, and suggestions for improvement. Implications for the development of research programs for undergraduate students are discussed.

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Research Experiences for Undergraduate Engineering Students

Cited by 3 publications

References 7 publications

Board 131: Investigating the Impact of a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Research Experience on Student Learning (Work in Progress)

Board 131: Investigating the Impact of a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate Research Experience on Student Learning (Work in Progress)

Preliminary Evaluation of a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program: A Methodology for Examining Student Outcomes

Examining Student Outcomes from a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program: Year Two Results

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