There is
considerable evidence that undergraduate summer research experiences can have a
tremendous impact on student interest and skills in science. In addition,
professional societies offer important opportunities for professional
socialization (see Project Background in Resources below).
Measurable
Objectives
The project is
designed to have significant impacts on the overall number of underrepresented
students participating in biomedicine. It also is designed to have specific
measurable impacts on equipping students for further biomedical training. In
addition, it impacts their research hosts, increasing their understanding of
and skills in working with underrepresented students.
Specific
measurable objectives are listed below. Fellows who complete the first year of
the research fellowship will be able to:
- Develop and revise a working
hypothesis
- Conduct experiments
- Analyze and report data
- Write research summaries in report
and abstract forms
- Successfully complete RCR training
at their host institution
- Recognize and respond appropriately
to common ethical issues in research and publication
- Prepare a scientific poster
- Present data and results orally
- Network effectively with other
Fellows and APS committee members
- Explore career options and needed
skills
- Reflect on their strengths for and
interests in specific careers
- Recognize and utilize the resources
provided to trainees by professional societies.
- Describe their interest in IOS-related
research
Researchers
hosting APS STRIDE Fellows in their laboratories will increase their
understanding of the training needs of underrepresented students (disadvantaged
backgrounds, individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and
individuals with disabilities).
Intellectual Merit:
The project will create and
evaluate resources for engaging UR undergraduate students in research
experiences, professional socialization activities within the scientific
community, and as advocates for science to friends, family, and the public. It
will also create and evaluate ways to improve research hosts’ skills in working
with UR students from broad backgrounds and with diverse needs. Finally, it
will provide a model for other scientific societies in identifying and
addressing specific needs in their ongoing diversity efforts.
Broader Impacts:
The experiences provided through
this project will help UR students to 1) increase their understanding of and
exposure to careers in IOS research, 2) develop their research and presentation
skills, and 3) become actively involved in the scientific community
(professional socialization). Ultimately, the project will lead to increases in
the overall number of underrepresented students participating in IOS-related
research; development of a professional network of support and encouragement
among UR students and experienced researchers; and increased understanding of
and interest in IOS careers among the target group students. Finally, it
further enhances APS’ capacity to provide ongoing support for increased
diversity among physiologists.
In addition, APS will build its overall capacity to support
diversity in IOS areas by 1) creating a resource collection in the APS National
Science Digital Library, the Archive of Teaching Resources, on working with
students with disabilities in research programs and provide ongoing training
for research hosts on working with students from all UR groups; and 2)
increasing the number of APS researchers from IOS fields and from UR groups
(including women) on the list of APS summer research hosts so all students
interested in applying for APS summer research programs see many potential
IOS-related projects and a diverse pool of potential hosts for possible
research experiences.
Evaluation
Methods
Evaluation
of the APS IOSP Fellows will include both formative (process) evaluation and
summative (impact) evaluation. Evaluation methods will include surveys of
awardees and research hosts and evaluation of Fellow assignments and written
reports. In addition, at both 2- and 4-year intervals following the Fellowship,
IOSP Fellows will be asked to complete another online survey regarding their
career choices and current career paths and what role research plays in their
career paths.
Undergraduate Research and Professional Societies: Partners in Increasing STEM Diversity (PDF)
Learn why professional societies play an important role in both the training and professional socialization of future STEM professionals.