REU Sites: Much More than a Research Experience for Undergraduates

1. REU Sites: Much More than a Research Experience for Undergraduates Miguel A. Labrador Cesar D. Guerrero Rafael Perez Department of Computer Science and Engineering University of South Florida Tampa, FL 33620 {labrador, guerrerc, perez}@cse.usf.edu

2. Outline • REU Site at USF • Main components • Additional Components • Results • Conclusions

3. REU Site at USFA Computer Science and Engineering REU Site for Florida, Puerto Rico, and Latin America • Provide a broad range of research project options in computer science and engineering • Recruit under-represented minority students mainly from Puerto Rico and Florida • Include international students

4. Main Components

5. Main ComponentsRecruitment Plan • Set up a website and advertise it. • Program Flyer. • Talks in technical societies and minority organization meetings • Personal visits to target institutions

6. Main ComponentsProgram Evaluation • Define a program evaluation guide based on program objectives. • Collect information before, during, and after the program. • Evaluate not only students but mentors experiences. • Evaluate the long-term impact on the students’ lives and careers.

7. Main ComponentsProjects and Mentors • Advertise projects before students apply. • Have backup projects and mentors. • Involve mentors in the selection process. • Make sure the students have all they need to perform the assigned project before they arrive. • Make sure students are making progress and help mentors in addressing problems if they exist. • Provide mentors with some sort of gift or token of appreciation

8. Main ComponentsSocial and Educational Components • Social activities depend on the city in which the program is located. • Transportation has to be planned with each activity. • Workshops. • Students formal presentations. • Poster competition. • Coordinate joint activities with other REU programs running at your university.

9. Main ComponentsAdministration time • REU site administration is time consuming usually underestimated. • Make a weekly plan of activities or a to-do list to be updated every year. • Start planning early (at least four months before the program starts).

10. Additional Components

11. Additional ComponentsThe “Reverse” International Component • Bringing international students to participate in your REU program in the U.S. • USF allocates around $7,500 to bring one student per year. • International students are carefully selected in their home institution: they are of prime quality. • Real cultural exchange occurs. • Leads to new opportunities for collaboration in academic and research areas.

12. Additional ComponentsGraduate Student Mentors • Faculty Mentors experience difficulties in committing enough time to the REU program • By mentoring undergraduates, graduate students can enhance their research projects • Developing mentoring skills is a key factor for those graduate students having academic careers in mind. • REU students may consider the Graduate Student as a more approachable mentor.

13. Additional ComponentsExtending the Summer REU Experience • Involving the REU students in a part time, 10 hrs/week, REU experience over the subsequent fall and spring semesters. • Establishing one-to-one relationship with the students’ advisors or mentors in their respective institutions. • Publishing the students’ research in prestigious conferences and journals

14. ResultsREU students participation (2005-2007)

15. ResultsREU students performance (2005-2007) 53% 73%

16. Conclusions • REU ameliorates dropout rates, graduation rates, and enrollment in graduate school. • Main components of a successful REU site were presented. • The “reverse” international component is a low-cost and highly beneficial initiative. • Involving graduate students as mentors provides additional support to faculty and undergraduate students. • Extending the REU experience beyond the summer can materialize technical publications.

17. Thanks! Questions?