A Program to Introduce Students to Scientific Research and Build Capacity in STEM 

Abstract

Engaging undergraduate students in research is considered a high impact practice (HIP), and has the potential to increase student persistence, retention, and graduation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Through the use of large data sets freely available on the Internet, undergraduate students are engaged in applied research that contribute to the fundamental understanding of space weather’s impact on Earth’s space environment, life, and society.  Research and educational activities focus on a CubeSat mission and design for both space weather and climate change applications. Engaging undergraduate students in space science and technology research and education activities has the following broader impacts: 1) long-term integration of space weather into the undergraduate curricula, thus exposing students to research early in their academic careers; and 2) increasing students’ interest in and motivation to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), as well as preparing them for choosing a career path in space science and related fields. This work describes the program, as well as best strategies that are used to build capacity in space science and technology at the undergraduate level.