Engaging two-year college students in geoscience: Summer Pre-REU internships and professional development to prepare students for participation in research

Abstract

The Geo-Launchpad Program is a pre-Research Experience for Undergraduates (pre-REU) providing a summer internship and professional development for two-year college (2YC) students from Colorado. The program goal was to build students’ interest and capacity to engage in geoscience-focused STEM career pathways. The pre-REU helped students develop skills necessary to conduct scientific research. Students worked on a project that supported scientific research under the direction of a science mentor. The program also provided multi-level mentoring, information about career pathways in geosciences, and professional development. Multi-level mentoring included engagement with 2YC faculty, researchers and professionals, and students in other internship programs. Career pathways were illuminated through informal weekly discussions with guest speakers. Evaluation data from 2015-2018 indicated the program succeeded in building students’ interest in and capacity to pursue geoscience-focused STEM careers. Annual program modifications were informed by evaluation data. Data were collected using a modified version of the Undergraduate Research Student Self-Assessment instrument and findings were aligned with the Framework for 21st Century Learning. The internship experience was valuable for students both from the scientific research preparation perspective and developing soft skills through professional development. Overall, the professional development component of Geo-Launchpad was demonstrated to be a highly valuable component of the intern experience. In particular, data showed that exposure to a wide array of geoscience career options and pathways through the Geoscience Career Circles was one of the most impactful elements of the Geo-Launchpad internship.