Comprising of the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), the Summer Engineering and Research for Community College Students (SERCCS) program, the Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM), and the Summer Undergraduate Research in Science and Engineering (SUNRiSE) initiative, these programs have proven to be transformative experiences for the participating students.
This year we welcomed 26 students to the Cornell campus from across the globe, including students from the University of Puerto Rico, Skidmore College, Reed College, Missouri State University, Adelphi University, Corning Community College, Borough of Manhattan Community College, Fort Lewis College, and many others.
Timeline of Events:
The summer at CLASSE kicked off with an exciting orientation day, where students from diverse backgrounds were welcomed into a vibrant scientific community. This was a significant milestone as it marked the first year of activities returning to full in-person experiences after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s cohort had the rare occurrence of arriving when there was still ongoing X-ray beamtime, and some students had the opportunity to work with x-ray beam and shadow scientists during the run.
Throughout the summer, students had the unique opportunity to attend professional events such as the CHESS User Meeting, an event that allowed them to witness the cutting-edge research conducted at CLASSE. Concurrent workshops, such as PALSA 2023 (Pan American Light Sources for Agriculture) and HMF (High Magnetic Field), provided students with specialized knowledge and insights into their respective fields and opportunities to network with global experts.
The program also featured a series of engaging tours of CHESS and introductions by esteemed scientists, including Joel Brock, Louise Debefve, Jim Alexander, Matthias Liepe, and others. These experiences allowed students to understand the inner workings of a world-class research facility.
Scientific Enrichment:
One of the key highlights of CLASSE's summer student programs was the emphasis on scientific camaraderie. Students benefited from coffee hours where they could interact with professionals from across CLASSE, attend scientific talks, and engage in discussions about various career paths within fields that they might want to pursue for graduate degrees and beyond. In addition to the rigorous academic curriculum, students also had the opportunity to explore the beauty of upstate New York as a student community with extracurricular trips to places like the Corning Museum of Glass, Niagara Falls, and New York City. These experiences added a social and cultural dimension to their summer at CLASSE.
Science communication seminars were an integral part of the program, teaching students the art of effectively conveying complex ideas and cutting-edge research to a wider audience effectively. The science communication seminars are designed to provide students with the tools necessary to present their research to colleagues at the end of the summer and to become future voices for scientific advancements at their home institutions.
Overall, this seminar series equipped participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to communicate science effectively to a range of audiences and to build a successful career through science communication. By the end of the eight weeks, participants were ready to present their research effectively, engage with the media and the public, and establish themselves as a new generation of science communicators. Led by the Science Communications team at CLASSE, along with scientists and engineers of the lab, students learned invaluable skills to prepare for future endeavors in academia and industry. Topics included: Storytelling, Scientific Presentations, Writing for Non-Experts, Ethics in Science Communications, Developing a Personal Brand, Visual Communication, PowerPoint Proficiency, Color Theory, and Visual Accessibility for Color-Vision Deficiencies.
Students were also expected to present their project plans partway through the summer during their 3 week presentations, giving them early opportunities to incorporate tools from the communication seminars. The culmination of the summer program was marked by a final technical report, final presentations, and a poster session in the Physical Sciences Building Atrium. Notably, the REU program produced final videos showcasing their projects, adding an extra dimension to their scientific communication skills.
A YouTube playlist of the final REU videos can be found here.
Mentorship and Extracurricular Activities:
CLASSE's commitment to mentorship was evident throughout the summer. Students had the privilege of being co-mentored by both technical staff and experienced staff scientist mentors, providing them with guidance and support throughout their research projects.
Direct Impact Projects:
One of the standout features of CLASSE's summer programs is the direct impact that student projects have on the laboratory's operations. Each program had students working on projects that directly influenced the operations and improved the running of CHESS beamline experiments or other research happening within CLASSE. This real-world experience provides students with a sense of purpose and responsibility in their research endeavors, and concrete deliverables to showcase in future academic applications.
List of All Projects:
CLASSE's official website provides a comprehensive list of all the projects undertaken by summer students, showcasing the breadth and depth of research areas covered during the programs. Here you can find the project lists for REU, SERCCS, PREM, and SUNRiSE.
In conclusion, the summer student programs at CLASSE, including REU, SERCCS, PREM, and SUNRiSE, have once again proven to be a resounding success in 2023. These programs offer a transformative experience for students, fostering scientific growth, mentorship, and a sense of belonging within the CLASSE community. With a return to in-person experiences and a commitment to excellence, CLASSE continues to be a hub for budding scientists eager to make a meaningful impact in their respective fields.