Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing – Research Experience for Undergraduates – Evaluation of the Summer 2010 Program

Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN) brings together three universities with unique strengths in nanoscience and nanomanufacturing: the University of Massachusetts, Lowell (UML); Northeastern University, Boston (NEU); and the University of New Hampshire, Durham (UNH). The University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute (UMDI) is conducting the five-year evaluation of CHN's education and outreach activities. The evaluation uses multiple sources of evidence to analyze project processes and outcomes. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, UMDI is documenting innovative and promising practices and exploring program outcomes for faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students, and targeted K-12 students and teachers. This report represents one component of the larger evaluation. It provides information on the CHN Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) which occurred during the summer of 2010. Undergraduates work with professors, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students during the 10-week program to conduct nanomanufacturing-related research in laboratories at UML, UNH, and NEU. Research projects included a literature review of relevant material, informal presentations, formal PowerPoint presentations, and hands-on activities and research related to a topic in nanoscience or nanomanufacturing. REU students also receive training in ethical issues in nanomanufacturing and participate in workshops at the Boston Museum of Science focused on improving their science communication skills. This latter program is the impetus for the posting on this website.