The principal goals of Keck Geology Consortium REU are to broaden the diversity of the geoscience workforce and to prepare students for careers in the geosciences.  We endeavor to accomplish these goals through authentic research experiences that engage students in all aspects of the research process.  This REU offers research programs for students who are at the beginning (Gateway) and ending (Advanced) stages of their undergraduate training.  In the Gateway Program, students with interest in earth science, but little or no background, are introduced to the research process through a five-week summer team project on a societally-relevant problem with the goal of broadening participation in the earth sciences.  Students (rising seniors) in the Advanced Program deepen their understanding of the earth and the research process through an intensive year-long, more independent investigation that is designed to prepare them for advanced study and a career in the earth sciences.  REU participants in both programs work as a team with other students at a single field site, they are closely mentored by one or more faculty, they use cutting edge methods to analyze their samples, and they present their research at a professional conference; Gateway students also benefit from additional mentoring by a near-peer mentor.  Both programs are designed to promote a sense of belonging in the research community and the development of identity as a scientist.

Over the four years of the award, the Keck Geology Consortium REU offered 20 research projects and enrolled 140 undergraduate participants and five undergraduate near-peer mentors in the Gateway (56% of participants) and Advanced (44% of participants) programs.  Participants brought diverse backgrounds to the REU, including 60% female, 1.5% non-binary gender, 16% first generation, 11% persons with disabilities, 11% African American, 1% Native American, 1% Arab American, 9.6% Asian American, 13% Hispanic, 1% Pacific Islander, and 11% of Multiple Race/Ethnicity.  Prior to their participation in the Keck REU, 74% of participants indicated that their only research experience had been in classroom projects, and 45% of participants indicated that their career plans were still not clear.  After their research experience, 58% percent of participants indicated that they plan on a career in the geosciences or natural sciences.  Eighty-two percent of our participants presented or co-presented a talk or presentation at a professional conference; these numbers would have been close to 100% in the absence of the pandemic. 

We continually survey our program participants and alumni, and because most of our participants are at a very early stage in their education, it will be several more years before the full impacts of their REU experiences are known.  Preliminary results indicated that >90% of participants indicated that “doing research confirmed my interest in my field of study,” and 74% indicated that they are “more likely to enroll in a graduate school in a geoscience related field” as a result of their research experience.  Program alumni report that they were still in a BS program (38%), in a master’s degree program (24%), employed part time 4%), or employed full-time (21%).  Ninety-three percent of alumni report that they plan to seek a graduate degree, and 98% plan a career in a STEM field.  Further, participants report that the Keck Geology Consortium REU made significant contributions to their educational choice (87%), career choice (79%), personal development (96%), professional development (98%), and science identity development (97%).

As a result of this award, we also developed several programs and activities to enhance student experiences and learning.  As part of our professional development program, all participants were encouraged to present the results of their research at a professional conference.  To support this effort, we developed activities and a document to help students gain the most from this experience and to reflect on its meaning for their personal and professional development.  We adapted several other well-established interventions used in higher education to the research environment with the goal of improving our support of students from underserved populations, including activities on identity, values, and utility value.  We also developed a one-day workshop for faculty directors and mentors that included discussions of research experiences for undergraduates, bias, identity, belonging, and reverse design.

During this award period, the results of scientific investigations conducted by the Keck Geology Consortium REU were published in 24 peer-reviewed journal articles, 72 conference presentations and abstracts, and 80 online Short Contributions of the Keck Geology Consortium.  Further, the broader impacts of the REU site were disseminated to the broader community in 5 conference presentations and workshops.

Last Modified: 08/21/2022
Modified by: Karl R Wirth