An Effective Model for Enhancing Underrepresented Minority Participation and Success in Geoscience Undergraduate Research

ABSTRACT

Geoscience research is a fundamental portal through which geoscience knowledge may be acquired and disseminated. A viable model to introduce, stimulate, and prolong geoscience education has been designed and implemented at the New York City College of Technology through a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in satellite and ground-based remote sensing that targets underrepresented minority students. The program is composed of three primary components: Structured Learning Environments: Preparation and Mentorship, Student Support and Safety Nets, and Vision and Impetus for Advancement. The first component, Structured Learning Environments: Preparation and Mentorship, places REU scholars within a research team and provides them with the skill sets necessary for proficiency in satellite and ground-based remote sensing research. The second component, Student Support and Safety Nets, provides a structured and holistic learning environment that supports the undergraduates in becoming successful researchers and scholars. The last component, Vision and Impetus for Advancement, exposes the REU scholars to geoscience in a wider context and inspires them to envision themselves as the geoscientists and the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce professionals of the 21st century. Since the inception of this NSF REU program in 2008, 47 undergraduate students—39 (83.0%) of whom are underrepresented minorities in STEM (including women)—have completed geoscience research or are engaged in geoscience or STEM careers.

Key words::

• research experiences for undergraduates (REU)
• underrepresented minorities
• science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
• academic support
• program design

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This program is ongoing, and it is supported by the NSF REU Grants No. 0755686 and No. 1062934, under the direction of Reginald A. Blake (principal investigator) and Janet Liou-Mark (co-principal investigator). The authors are solely responsible for the content of this article, and it does not necessarily represent the views of the NSF or of NOAA-CREST. The authors sincerely thank Drs. Reza Khanbilvardi and Shakila Merchant at the NOAA-CREST Center at City College for their sterling leadership and unparalleled commitment to the NSF CREST REU program from its inception. The authors also thank the research scientists, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and REU scholars for partnering with them in this critical and rewarding program. The authors are also grateful for Jewel Escobar of the City Tech Foundation for sponsoring the leveraged REU scholars from City Tech. In addition, the authors thank Dr. Daphne LaDue of the Oklahoma University's Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms for her guidance and support throughout the years. The program and its success would be impossible without the unwavering dedication of these tremendous champions of the cause.

FIGURE 1: NSF CREST REU program design.

FIGURE 2: One-year timeline of NSF CREST REU program activities.