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

UROP Student Responses NSF-EPSCoR Annual Award 2009-2010 (15 recipients) 2010-2011 (15 recipients) 83% (n=25) response rate NSF EPSCoR 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 Faculty member Other Website Another student 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 What did you learn as a result of preparing the proposal? (Check all that apply) 81% 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% 15% 10% 4% 4% Length of time

Overall, please rate your experience with your research mentor(s). 67% 17% 10% 6% Excellent Good Average Fair Poor

Fantastic-a great way to learn 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% 15% 10% 6% 4% Extremely likely Very likely Somewhat likely 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?