Get ready for summer research! Undergraduate Research Learning Plans Presenter: Dr. David Hall Associate Professor of Biochemistry Lawrence University Facilitator: Dr. Karen Pearson Director of the Midstates Consortium for Math and Science Webinar sponsored by the Midstates Consortium for Math and Science Tuesday, April 19 th, 4-5pm Central time Presenter: Dr. Margaret Bloch Qazi Associate Professor of Biology Gustavus Adolphus College

Challenges and Opportunities Challenges: – Student recruiting and selection – Student preparation and training – Student follow-through and completion Opportunities: – Process and products of research – Real discoveries – Life and lab skills – Community of scholars

© Carsten Reisinger: Fotolia Promoting a Good Fit: Exploring Research Opportunities with Undergraduates Introductions Project Descriptions Research Roadmaps Ongoing Conversations “Have you thought about getting involved in research?” “I’d like to learn more about research.”

Cell Movement & Fate (what it is & why we care) Female sperm storage Drosophila as a model system Experimental approaches Lab Research Career interests Lab experience Type of commitment Conversation 1: Introductions “Talk with other faculty about their research. If you’re still interested in this kind of research, come back in a week to explore specific projects.” Where I am coming from Where the student is coming from

Mechanisms of sperm fate in female Drosophila Project #1Project #2Project #3 Conversation 2: Project Descriptions “Think about these. Let’s meet in a week to talk about which one interests you.” Description Content Introduction, background & preliminary data Experimental objectives/hypothesis Skills needed to complete the project Experimental design Literature

Conversation 3: A Research Roadmap “Work on this in pencil, then we can go over it together.” Eleven Suggestions for a Successful Lab Experience Guidelines for Keeping a lab notebook Calendar Skills Time(s) to meet Experiments (prep & expts.) Data Analysis Presentation (if needed)

© Carsten Reisinger: Fotolia Ongoing Conversations: One-on-one & Lab Meetings Check progress Answer questions Talk about results Read papers Plan more experiments!

Research philosophy: The pipeline Everything is for some publication Centralized set of experimental techniques Every experiment has a meaningful outcome Students train and teach each other to reinforce understanding Explore research areas closely associated to principle area (by idea OR technique)

Problems Faculty not accomplishing anything Students not doing research but busy work Student wash out rate of 50% or more (pipeline addresses this) Students flaking out (fine if a goal is accomplished) Lack of project goals Lack of projects Unsure of research interest Unclear role of student research in tenure Unclear avenue to assign credit to work (student and faculty) Money

What are your goals? Faculty and students For Faculty goals must be long term: Publication, pedagogy, training the next student, exploring new questions, NOT I need to do research with students For Students goal must result in some product: Report, Honors thesis, figure for publication, NOT I need research experience. Without defined goals for the faculty, student and project, we are adrift.

What is your process? Fitting students to projects All students are capable. Of what? Looking for dedication and talent. Best grades do not equal best research students. Have conversations about project, type of project, goals for student and faculty Have multiple options on each project (redundancy) Challenge student to come back and participate with current students, read thesis, find research papers and ask questions WITHOUT credit. Have a product (not a lab notebook, not a poster) – for the faculty, the student and assessment A learning contract

Learning contract- Set the bar high Work schedule Clear and specific goals Emphasize independence Focus on both process and product – lab notebook – written document that incorporates background, data, results and interpretation Dedication to and participation in lab – Lab meetings, safety, collegiality etc.. A written contract for a certain time period

Incentives for the student Be careful what you promise up front until you get to know the student better. Useful skills Future recommendations and references Professional Meeting Grade and credit Money Name on paper

Final Comments Individualized Consistent Scholarly Flexible Open “To thine own self be true.”

Questions and Comments

References “Research Learning Contracts: A useful tool for facilitating successful undergraduate research experiences,” P. Mabrouk, CUR Quarterly, Sept A sample Learning Contract: learningcontract.pdf learningcontract.pdf