Background
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In spring 2006, Keith Warner (STS & Religious Studies) and I organized a dinner with graduating minority science students and science faculty to discuss what experiences initially sparked and helped maintain their interest in the sciences. Two common themes emerged from this discussion: 1) that science was a mysterious and intimidating career option, and 2) that, in general, the students felt inadequately informed about research opportunities. These are more important and general concerns for science than they might appear, in fact, the students at our dinner cited this intimidation and uncertainty as reasons why some of their peers left the sciences. _____________________________________ Between 2006 and 2008, I worked with Katherine Preston (formerly Biology) to develop USES as a way to address the general issues raised at the minority in sciences dinner. Without graduate students to bridge the gap between students and faculty, it is especially important to actively expose students to research opportunities here at Santa Clara University. Clearly the SCU science departments are retaining highly motivated students, but I believe that many students, uncertain about careers, research and the culture of science, are easily convinced to pursue more clear-cut careers elsewhere. _____________________________________ USES 2008 was held on the 7th of March and attended by more than 100 students and faculty, representing all of the science departments on campus. During informal panels with session participants, attendees heard about what makes independent research such a unique experience; including the opportunity to conceive, develop, and pursue questions that have real-world applications, the time management skills that they developed, lab-group camaraderie, and field research in exotic places. Another goal of USES was to promote research opportunities and, after advertising for GIS research, Prof. Iris Stewart-Frey (ESI) recruited Dan Bates, a Civil Engineering & Environmental Studies senior within a week! Dan worked through the summer as a paid intern and has continued working with Prof. Stewart-Frey in the 2008-09 school year. _____________________________________ 1) USES 2009 will be combined with ESI's Successfest and will feature presentations from the Sustainable Living Undergraduate Research Project (SLURP). 2) I am hoping for more faculty talks, either research presentations or advertisements for independent research. Please consider attending or presenting your research at USES 2009! If you have any questions, let me know: SWatts@scu.edu. All the Best, Sean |
