Positioning Humanity before Progress: Students’ and Mentors’ Perceptions of the COVID-19 Impact on Undergraduate Research

Through interviews with 28 students and 17 mentors from a campus-wide undergraduate research program, common themes in the responses to COVID-19-related impacts were found. Students had to adjust to the type or scope of their research obligations while handling academic responsibilities, and mentors explicitly considered students’ well-being above expectations related to research.

Undergraduate Research Program to Recycle Composite Waste

With the rapid growth in the manufacturing industry and increased urbanization, higher amounts of composite material waste are being produced, causing severe threats to the environment. These environmental concerns, coupled with the fact that undergraduate students typically have minimal experience in research, have initiated the need at the UAE University to promote research among undergraduate students, leading to the development of a summer undergraduate research program. In this study, a recycling methodology is presented to test lab-fabricated Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for potential applications in industrial composite waste. The work was conducted by two groups of undergraduate students at the UAE University. The methodology involved the chemical dissolution of the composite waste, followed by compression molding and adequate heat treatment for rapid curing of CFRP. Subsequently, the CFRP samples were divided into three groups based on their geometrical distinctions. The mechanical properties (i.e., modulus of elasticity and compressive strength) were determined through material testing, and the results were then compared with steel for prompt reference. The results revealed that the values of mechanical properties range from 2 to 4.3 GPa for the modulus of elasticity and from 203.7 to 301.5 MPa for the compressive strength. These values are considered competitive and optimal, and as such, carbon fiber waste can be used as an alternate material for various structural applications. The inconsistencies in the values are due to discrepancies in the procedure as a result of the lack of specialized equipment for handling CFRP waste material. The study concluded that the properties of CFRP composite prepreg scrap tend to be reusable instead of disposable. Despite the meager experimental discrepancies, test values and mechanical properties indicate that CFRP composite can be successfully used as a material for nonstructural applications.

Science Identity among Latinx Students in the Biomedical Sciences: The Role of a Critical Race Theory–Informed Undergraduate Research Experience

This study investigates science identity and intention to pursue a science career among three groups of graduating Latinx biomedical majors. Students who participated in an undergraduate research program guided by critical race theory reported the highest levels of science identity and intention to pursue a science career at the end of college.

Development and Assessment of an Undergraduate Research Program at a Two-Year, Rural, Hispanic-Serving Institution: The Essential Role of Partnerships

This article reviews the importance of multiple stakeholders in program development, including the essential role of university and community partnerships.Yakima Valley College—a two-year, Hispanic-serving institution—partnered with four-year universities, agricultural centers, businesses, and federal and state agencies to develop a streamlined undergraduate research experience in which students work closely with a faculty mentor in a STEM field on summer projects of 120 hours each.

BUILDing Equity in STEM: A Collaborative Undergraduate Research Program to Increase Achievement of Underserved Community College Students

The program Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity: Promoting Opportunities for Diversity in Education and Research partners baccalaureate-granting California State University, Northridge with community college faculty and students to facilitate undergraduate research and development at community colleges. The authors document student, faculty, and institutional outcomes and share best practices in forming community college–university partnerships. Future directions also are offered.

Lessons Learned from a Virtual Summer Undergraduate Research Program

In summer 2020, North Carolina A&T State University and Elon University were poised to debut their Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in mathematical biology funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The directors decided to hold the program virtually so that students would have the opportunity. Although the directors did not have experience running a virtual program, they learned from the experience and have recommendations for program directors in similar situations.