THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MORRIS - N.S.F. RESEARCH EXPERIENCES FOR UNDERGRADUATES (UMM-REU) PROGRAM; A PROGRAM FOR UNDERGRADUATE WOMEN IN GEOLOGY

The goal of the UMM - REU program is to nurture the development of women in the geological sciences. Women are historically under-represented in the geological sciences. This program introduces undergraduate women to research project design and independent data collection and analysis. In so doing, the program tries to encourage students to continue their education at the graduate level and/or to pursue a career in the Geosciences.

The program was first proposed in 1988 and was run during the summers of 1989, '90, '91, '94, '95, '97, '99, 2000 and 2005 (in 1996 and 1998 a similar program was run at Gustavus Adolphus College). The focus of the program is field and laboratory research to determine the origin and history of glacial and postglacial deposits in west-central Minnesota. Additional experience, background and research opportunities were gained by studying active glaciers in the Canadian Rockies (prior to 2005) and the late Paleozoic Glacial deposits of the Parana Basin, Brazil (2005).

Research projects employ varying geologic research techniques designed to increase student's scientific skills, introduce them to new fields of study, and to develop academic/professional confidence. Other participant activities include: 1) readings and discussions on "women in science" and science ethics; 2) interaction with women geoscientists, 3) strategies for career development and; 4) participation in the "Friends of UMM-REU" conference (an "informal" presentation of results). REU alumni are also encouraged to present results at professional meetings (65 abstracts and 4 papers have resulted).

Assessment of the program is challenging. Exit surveys are conducted each year. These surveys include ordinal measure questions and open-ended questions which address the satisfaction level of the participant immediately after the program. In 1997, a survey of UMM-REU alumni was conducted. For the 2005 program an outside evaluator was utilized as well as the exit survey.

Seventy-seven women have participated in the UMM-REU program. Attempts have been made to monitor the various academic and career moves of alumni. In spring of 2004 a reunion was held for the (then) 69 alumni. Forty-seven responded to information e-mails and 30 attended the reunion.