Progress 06/01/17 to 05/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for this REEU program is undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds. For this final year, the Envision program also included participants from another college-sponsored outreach program (College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Summer Institute, CANR-SI). In addition, one faculty member sponsored two students from a regional organization. CANR-SI includes students from national MSIs, and included travel monies as well as stipend and housing. The College Extension office also sponsored an Extension Scholar to serve as the main communications person for this program.Consequently, our target audience was expanded from the 10 budgeted to 19 participants in this final year of this program. Changes/Problems:The main problem, of course, was the lockdown of the University Campus for summer 2020. This decision was made in April, after all of the recruitment visits were made and we had ~50 applicants for the program. Sadly, we had to cancel for summer 2020 as all of our programming and experiences werehands-on and the University stopped all on-campus programming. For summer 2021, there were challenges with the University being partly opened for on-campus activities. Vaccination mandates from the Unviersity vacilated with respect to participants (intially it was suggested, but not required). The director of the program insisted on vaccination of participants given that some were traveling from high-viral positive states (CA, MS, IL) and were being housed together. This was a challenge, as minority populations have some of the lowest vaccination rates. No on-campus housing was made available for this program, however, International housing was largely unoccupied due to VISA and travel restrictions, so alternative housing became readily available. This did require increased bussing during the summer, but some participants brought their own cars, which helped minimize travel issues. For the on-campus trainings and activities, we had to use very large open venues for mass training (horse arena for Chemical, Biological and IACUC training), while other trainings were virtual. This was not optimal, but we were able to make do. Hopefully, summer 2022 will have better logistics. Despite the obstacles, we were able to attend the DE State Fair and distribute the jump drives and fidget spinners, as well as have a game night and a beach trip. The Undergraduate Research Symposium was held virtually, which minimized its effectiveness, but all students participated. I think perseverance was the key commodity required for this summer being successful. One additional issue this summer was the loss of staff following the lockdown. Procurement, which handled the payments to the student was either understaffed or had less-trained staff, making paymentto the students a challenge. Initial payments were delayed 4 weeks to many students. This really was a challenge for which better administrative organization would have helped. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?For each year, participants received the following trainings: Chemical "Right to Know", Chemical Hygieneand Biosafety Training (2 hr lunch meeting) Responsible Conduct of Research Training (2 hr lunch meeting) IACUC Training (for those working on projects involving animals) Videography Training: (4) 2-3 hour sessions (Equipment use, Editing Software, Voice-over and Music, Hands-on final editing) Video content training (lunch with Communications staff) on appropriate content, impact, consistency, branding and messaging The Graduate School Option: lunch on graduate school programs, how to apply, different types of programs (lunch meeting) Training on poster assembly (1.5 hr session) Mentor lunch (discussion with mentors on projects, time lines for activities, etc.) How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The major public outreach for this program is the presentation Sunday at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington, DE. At this event, all participants staff the Agricultural Annex Extension booth which has video screens for showing the participant's videos. All videos are uploaded to Youtube, downloaded in a compressed mp4 format and loaded onto chrome 4gB jump drive bottle openers. At the booth, fidget spinners with the UD Envision logo are distributed to children which attracts their parents. Participants engage with the adults and hand out the jump drives while discussing their research projects and showing their videos (on the screens behind them). Each year, 350 - 400 jump drives have been distributed with ~500 figet spinners. The participants and public really seem to enjoy this and for the participants, the explaining of their projects helps them to take ownership of their research. Following the State Fair event, there is an Undergraduate Research Symposium where the participants present posters (either live or virtually). This is a University-wide event and UD Envision/CANR SI students get to meet (when this was live) with students from other programs in a large venue on campus. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Since this initial funding period was so successful, a renewal grant for Envision (termed UD Envision)was funded in FY2019 and residual funding from this cycle was exhausted for 2021 (so, 4 years of the program werefunded on a three year award) with the new program (UD Envision, which includes more participating departments in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources) initiated on 6/1/2020to pay for ~1/4 of the program Summer 2021. The expanded scope of the new program (27 faculty from the initial 17 for Envision), the seeking of foundational funding from the College, and the participation of faculty who sponsor students from other grant sources, have greatly increased the size and scope of this program. The establishment of foundational funding to support CANR staff coordinatorswill allow this program, ideally, to become a self-sustaining program in perpetuity.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The Envision program was an abbreviated version of the original proposal, "Undergraduate Research and Education ExploringOne Health: Protecting our food supply, animal health, and the environment". We opted for theEnvision programdue to our emphasis on the transformation students undergo in the program, envisioning themselves asscientistsas opposed to students. This perceptual change, we feel, is incredibly important in personalizing this experience. Coupled with hypothesis development the videography experience, detailed below, we felt that Envision was an incredibly successful program. This has been renewed for an additional 5 years. The accomplishments, as according to our initial goals of funding 30 students, are detailed below. Table 1. Applicants by Institution Year DESU LU UD UMES CU1 Other2 Total 2017 0 20 6 0 0 0 26 2018 7 18 11 6 0 0 42 2019 8 21 14 7 0 0 50 2021 4 7 25 4 2 14 56 Totals 19 65 56 17 2 16 173 % 11% 37.8% 32.4% 10% 1% 8% 100% 1- Cheyney University was added to our participating MSIs 2- We had applicants from 14 institutions outside of our original list. Table 2. Participants by Institution Year DESU LU UD UMES CU4 Other5 n 2017 0 7 61,2 0 13 2018 2 2 51 4 13 2019 23 3 71 2 14 2021 0 1 101 2 2 4 19 Totals 4 13 281 8 2 4 59 % total 7% 22% 47% 14% 3% 7% Envision-funded 4 13 19 6 2 0 44 % Envision-funded 9% 30% 43% 14% 4% 0 1- for each year, 2 additional students participated from UD that were funded by other sources 2- In 2017, 2019 and 2021, the Extension Scholar was a UD student 3- in 2019, an additional DESU student was accepted, but withdrew prior to the start date 4- Cheyney University (HBCU added 2020) 5- for Summer 2021, we had single students from: California Polytechnical University, San Luis Obispo Mississippi Valley State College Millersville University U. Mass, Amherst Table 3. Participant Demographics Year Male Female African/ African American Hispanic/ Latino Asian/ Pac. Is. White n 2017 1 12 7 2 1 2 13 2018 1 12 6 3 0 4 13 2019 3 11 7 2 0 5 14 2021 4 15 11 0 0 8 19 Total 9 50 31 7 1 19 59 % 15% 85% 53% 13.5% 1.7% 32% Envision-funded 9 35 28 7 1 8 44 % Envision-funded 20% 80% 64% 16% 2% 20%
Publications
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Progress 06/01/20 to 05/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:Due to campus lock-down for the summer of 2020, the Envision program was cancelled for this year. The campus administration made this announcement in April of 2020, after all recruitment visits were made and applications collected (~50). Changes/Problems:Due to campus lock-down for the summer of 2020, the Envision program was cancelled for this year. The campus administration made this announcement in April of 2020, after all recruitment visits were made and applications collected (~50). What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?As noted, the program was cancelled due to Covid lock-down for summer 2020. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan on hosting Envision for summer 2021, depending on the Covid situation and access to campus.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Due to campus lock-down for the summer of 2020, the Envision program was cancelled for this year. The campus administration made this announcement in April of 2020, after all recruitment visits were made and applications collected (~50).
Publications
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Progress 06/01/19 to 05/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:We were unable to conduct the summer research experience in 2020 as the University shut down all on-campus activities in April, after we had conducted recruitment, obtained 50+ applicants, and had already made selections for participants. No on-campus housing was permitted for students and faculty were excluded from their laboratories until mid- to late-summer. Changes/Problems:Due to the Covid-19 shut down in 2020, the program was cancelled for the summer. For summer 2021, faculty have developed virtual opportunities should the Unversity shut-down due to increased transmission, etc. Consequently, we will be able to proceed even in the event of another shut down. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?As of March 22, 2021, we have conducted (3) virtual recruitment events (see:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wp1umQHAgcc&t=1523s), and have 54 applicants for ~17 available positions. UD Envision has been combined with a College outreach initiative (CANR Summer Institute) which will provide funding for 5 students and we are leveraging funds from other outreach programs to support additional students (typically, we have 11 budgeted for Envision, 5 budgeted for CANR Summer Intitute), but some faculty are selecting additional students for funding using other grant sources. Ideally, we will be able to accept up to 20 students for the program.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Unfortunately, we had conducted recruitment visits (to all 5 participating HBCUs) and had obtained applicants and faculty mentors for Envision for summer 2020, only to have the program cancelled in April due to the Covid-19 shut down.
Publications
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Progress 06/01/18 to 05/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The name of this REEU Program, since it's first year of implementation (2017) has been Envision, as the overriding purpose of these experiences is to have the individual student ENVISION themselves as scientists, not merely students. A key component of this process has been project development, implementation and documentation for each of the students. Each participant receives training in video production (equipment, software, content development and editing) to generate their story for a lay audience. See:https://canr.udel.edu/envision/2018-participant-videos/ for the program description video and the videos produced by each student. The key audiences for this project are: The Public: Videos produced by the students are loaded to YouTube and to 4 gB jumpdrives for distribution at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington, DE during the end of July. The students hand out Envision spinners to attract children passing through the Ag Extension Annex, while their videos play on (5) screens behind them. The parents of the children are then engaged to discuss the program, their individual projects, and to handout the jump drives (which are also key-ring bottle openers). In 2018, 250 jump drives and spinners were distributed. The University of Delaware Scientific Community: Each student is required to present a poster or talk at the Summer Undergraduate Symposium at the end of the experience (during week 10). The audiences here are the students from other programs, faculty, and the University of Delaware administration and local community. Changes/Problems:The program undergoes pre- and post-assessment each year (participants, faculty and staff). After the first year (2017), faculty felt that not all of the participants had an adequate work ethic for the effort needed to accomplish their goals. Starting in 2018, we implemented a resume upload and screened candidates by contacting references in order to identify those with strong self-motivation, good interpersonal skills and a history of taking responsibility for projects. These changes increased the overall satisfaction with the program and participants at each institution really spread the word for subsequent years. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This program provides trainging and professional development in a number of key areas. All participants receive the following training: Chemical Right to Know, Chemical Hygiene, Biosafety, Ethical Conduct of Research and Laboratory-specific training. They receive (4) 2 hr sessions on videography and video production (equipment, software, editing, voice-over, etc.), as well as training on video content, effective presentation styles, etc., through our communications office (OCM). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?As mentioned, through our website:https://canr.udel.edu/envision/2018-participant-videos/, via YouTube, at the DelawareState Fair (Public Outreach), and at the Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are currently in the recruitment and selection phase for Summer 2019. We purchased 2X the number of Jump drives needed last year, so we will be making new videos, loading these and distributing our spinners and jump drives again this year at the State Fair. We have arranged housing and are scheduling trainings for the Summer and all students will be starting June 10 and go through August 16 this year (and in subsequent years, should this be renewed).
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
This program has expanded from its original size and scope. In our proposal, we planned to include students from Lincoln University (LU),Delaware State University (DESU)and the University of Delaware (UD). After Summer 2017 (the first year), we have included University of Maryland - Eastern Shore (UMES). DESU and UMES are both 1890 Land Grant Institutions. LU was the first HBCU in the United States and UD is an 1862 Land Grant University. In addition to expanding the number of participating institutions, for each year we have funded more than 10 students, through faculty using other grant monies to fund the stipends of additional students. Each year, we have funded 13 students. In 2019, we plan to fund 15.
Publications
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
https://canr.udel.edu/envision/2018-participant-videos/
Links to all videos published are given for each student.
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Progress 06/01/17 to 05/31/18
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience is the undergraduate students from Lincoln University and the University of Delaware who participated in this program. For this period (Summer 2017), we had 7 undergraduates participate from Lincoln University and 3 University of Delaware students. In addition to this cohort, we had 2 additional UD students funded through grants awarded to other investigators and one Extension scholar who aided in project coordination and videography. For the video production and presentation portion of this project, the target audience was the lay public attending the Delaware State Fair. This relation of science to the public, using video and public engagement is a direct outreach consistent with our land grant mission. For the scientific presenation (poster, oral), the target audience was the University of Delaware faculty, staff and students associated with the Undergraduate Research Program. Changes/Problems:The major problem during our first year was the compressed time-frame for advertising, recruitment and on-boarding of participants. To address these issues, we have had three recruitment visits during February (Lincoln University, Delaware State University and University of Maryland-Eastern Shore). This garnered 40 applications from these institutions and the University of Delaware. Another issue was the overall work ethics of some of the participants during the first year.To increase the competitiveness of this program, we incorporated resume-uploads for the application process, which gave faculty the ability to contact references and make more informed decisions in accepting students. Another issue was the difficulty in getting students admitted into the payroll system for payment, due to age, citizenship, and VISA status issues. For our second year, we have employed citizenship status in the application process and have begun to process students prior to coming to campus (background checks, electronic onboarding). What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Each participant was given safety training from Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) on topics of Chemical Right-to-Know, Biosafety and Chemical waste treatment. Each participant was given 10 hrs of videography training through the UD multimedia center. This was provided in (2) sessions of intensive equipment, software and video editing training at the Multimedia services laboratory. Each participant received laboratory-specific safety and instrument training. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?As mentioned, the students prepared videos, including this video summarizing the project:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cswk0ON5nxk These videos were presented on screens in the Extension building at the Delaware state fair on Sunday, July 23rd from 1 - 4 PM. The students engaged with the public, answered questions regarding their projects and handed out brochures detailing the program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?To optimize the effectiveness of the videography portion of this summer program, we have planned: 1. For the trainings to be spread out over June and July, in 2 hr training and hands-on help in developing, editing and producing their videos. 2. We are adding trainings on hypothesis development, using scientific resources, and mentoring to increase the impact of their experiences. To optimize the effectiveness of their professional training, we have planned: 1. Weekly mentor lunches to talk about what is working and not working in their projects. 2. Poster-making and video loading lunches to increase the impact of their projects. 3. Having each student prepare a newsletter-based publication detailing their project, linking to their video and giving insight into their experience.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
As the first year of this project, despite a late start (we could not recruit until the end of March due to an embargo on awardee notification and press release), we were able to have a total of 34applicants for the 10 positions. Overall, the PDs accomplished: 1. Recruitment visit to Lincoln University 2. Purchase of photo/video equipment for use of Extension scholar for project period 3. Placed students in a total of 11 laboratories. (12 Envision scholars, 2 paid from other sources) 4. Produced (12) videos (3 -5 min), presented at Delaware State Fair 5. Had kick-off event, beach trip and other team-building acitivities 6. Produced (12) posters and (1) oral presentation at UD Undergraduate Research Symposium. 7. Obtained pre-acceptance and post-program assessment data. Post-program assessment data was from participants and faculty mentors.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
Each student presented a poster at the Undergraduate Research Symposium on August 10, 2017.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2017
Citation:
CANR.udel.edu/Envision
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