Source: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA submitted to
BUILDING UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH AND SCIENCE COMMUNICATION SKILLS THROUGH BENEFICIAL INSECTS PROTECTION RESEARCH AND EXTENSION EXPERIENCES
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1018000
Grant No.
2019-67032-29073
Cumulative Award Amt.
$344,767.00
Proposal No.
2018-05858
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Feb 15, 2019
Project End Date
Feb 14, 2024
Grant Year
2019
Program Code
[A7401]- Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates
Project Director
Golick, D.
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
(N/A)
LINCOLN,NE 68583
Performing Department
Entomology
Non Technical Summary
The goal of our REEU program is: (1) teach and nurture interest in science by engaging up to 7 undergraduate students each year to analyze and address complex problems for 10 weeks during the summer, (2) to teach the students how to communicate science to scientists and the public through training and hands-on experiences, (3) foster skills in students for developing extension education materials including innovative uses of online apps, social media, and other technological tools to reach broad audiences, and (4) to significantly impact the career decisions of these students by providing academic research experiences and field trips to businesses and organization engaged in research and extension around beneficial insects.We will recruit 7 undergraduatestudents each year, for 4 years. Over 50% each year will be female and/or from underrepresented groups.Students will engage in research and extension opportunities focused on beneficial insects in agroecosystems (bees, butterflies, beetles), pest control (natural enemies), soil nutrient cycling (dung beetles, soil dwellers), and biological indicators (aquatic insects) of the quality of our environmental surroundings. To address emerging and complex agricultural issues we seek to develop a research education and extension experience program for undergraduates with a focus on building scientific knowledge, communication, and extension product development skills. With all complex issues, big data and the tools necessary to make sense of the interactions between elements of agroecosystems will be a theme in the REEU students' research and extension experiences.Faculty advisors will provide mentorship to students in a wide range of beneficial insect research and extension projects. The faculty bring strong records in one-on-one mentoring of undergraduate researchers and are adept at devising projects tailored to stimulate students' curiosity and expand REEU participants understanding of research and extension engagement. Faculty advisors have extensive experience teaching undergraduate courses, mentoring students in scientific research (a combined 103 undergraduate students), and in conducting extension programming. In addition, PIs have active research programs on undergraduate student science literacy.In addition to their strong history of involvement with undergraduate research, the senior personnel offer a level of diversity sufficient to attract a diverse student pool to the REEU program, collectively spanning four ethnicities. We believe with our four female faculty mentors, that we have a particularly strong ability to recruit women participants.Each participant will be placed in a research lab and assigned one or more graduate student mentors with whom (s)he will work and communicate on a daily basis. Students will conduct research under the supervision of a collaborating faculty mentor. Students will conduct research on a prepared/selected research or extension project with beneficial insects in the mentor's research area (see Table 2). For some projects, there will be a special focus on interacting and contributing their research to big data (FACT component). In addition to faculty mentorship around research or extension communication, students will receive training in working with and using 'big data' in research and extension communication from staff in UNL's Quantitative Life Science's Initiative. In addition to holding weekly lab group meetings, the faculty member will interact with the participant in an advising role several times throughout each week. At a minimum, the REEU participant will interact daily with graduate students. In addition to research and mentorship activities, the Primary REEU faculty mentors Golick and Brewer will meet with students Friday afternoons to share a photo that they took each week and present a brief talk on his/her project at each weekly REEU meeting. The goals of this activity is to develop speaking skills and disseminate results to students/faculty?
Animal Health Component
70%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
0%
Applied
70%
Developmental
30%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
21131103030100%
Knowledge Area
211 - Insects, Mites, and Other Arthropods Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
3110 - Insects;

Field Of Science
3030 - Information and communication;
Goals / Objectives
The goal of our REEU program is: (1) teach and nurture interest in science by engaging up to 7 undergraduate students each year to analyze and address complex problems for 10 weeks during the summer, (2) to teach the students how to communicate science to scientists and the public through training and hands-on experiences, (3) foster skills in students for developing extension education materials including innovative uses of online apps, social media, and other technological tools to reach broad audiences, and (4) to significantly impact the career decisions of these students by providing academic research experiences and field trips to businesses and organization engaged in research and extension around beneficial insects.
Project Methods
Recruitment, Selection, and Retention. The UNL Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) has developed an extensive infrastructure to recruit, manage, house, and pay students participating in 17 summer research programs at UNL.OGS has an aggressive strategy for recruiting qualified domestic undergraduate students for REU programs, with particular emphasis on students traditionally underrepresented in graduate education. The cornerstone of their strategy involves targeted, personalized e-mails to prospective students through Talisma recruitment software. Names of all domestic students interested in attending graduate school in all disciplines are purchased each year from the GRE Search Service. Prospective student names are also collected from conference attendance lists, the McNair Scholars program, website inquiries, and e-mails.UNL is represented annually at several conferences geared toward underrepresented students, including: the National Conference of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, the California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education, the Joint Annual Conference for the National Societies of Black and Hispanic Physicists, and the Alliance for Graduate Education in Mississippi's Winter Symposium. Some conferences provide a comprehensive list of attendees, and all students receive follow-up through a sophisticated, personalized communication plan.Our faculty mentors will be asked to contribute to the recruitment plan by providing contact information for the following: former students who are now faculty members; collaborators at other institutions; colleagues at targeted schools (MSIs and those in the Midwest with limited research opportunities); and key conferences in their discipline. Faculty in these groups will receive personal letters announcing the REEU and follow-up phone calls inviting them to recommend students for the program. When possible, UNL faculty or advanced doctoral students will travel to targeted schools to give a research talk, highlight the REEU opportunities, and meet with any interested students. Previous participants in the REEU program will also be contacted each year and invited to nominate their peers to participate in the program. Additionally, UNL faculty and advanced doctoral students who attend conferences will network with other faculty in the beneficial insect and plant science fields and will invite talented undergraduate student presenters to apply.Participant Selection Procedure. The UNL SRP online application form requests the following information: name, school, major, GPA, earned credit hours, class, graduation date, date of birth, US citizenship, gender, ethnicity, faculty advisor preferences (research projects are summarized on the UNL REEU website). The selection committee (Golick and 3 Co-PIs) will pass the files through two selection procedures. The "first filter" separates the completed files based upon the following criteria: a GPA above 3.0, U.S. citizenship, and class standing at the sophomore and junior level plus seniors who will graduate in one year. The "second filter" involves reading and assessing each first filter file for (1) student intent to go to graduate school or professional school so that our program can influence their decision, (2) the student's personal statement about their future career interest, (3) their prior research experiences, (4) highest Biological Sciences or Entomology course completed. These factors will be used to rank applicant files. The ten faculty advisors then receive two of the highest ranked files from students who selected them as their top priority. Golick will then send an email offer to the faculty member's first choice and gives the applicant one week to respond, after which the second ranked candidate is sent an offer.Nature of student activities: Students will engage in research and extension opportunities focused on beneficial arthropods in agroecosystems (bees, butterflies, beetles), pest control (natural enemies), nutrient cycling (dung beetles, soil dwellers), and biological indicators (aquatic insects) of the quality of our environmental surroundings. Our faculty team has established research and extension programs on beneficial insects and agroecosystem communities. Beneficial arthropods are especially relevant to the NIFA emphasis on Food and Agriculture Cyberinformatics and Tools Initiate (FACT) Farm Bill Priority Areas as questions around beneficial insects in agroecosystems involve large data sets. WThe research portion of the REEU is designed to meet our first three objectives, particularly in helping REEU participants develop as independent researchers through systematic instruction in research skills while simultaneously engaging in research projects. Individual projects will be carefully designed by mentors to be immediately hands-on, include real and practical research and extension activities, and be achievable within the 10-week summer program. REEU participants will undertake individual research projects that have been well-prepared by the faculty mentors to permit immediate student immersion and are designed to fit into the larger context of the mentor's research program (see Table 2). The research projects will give students experience in contributing to a research plan, conducting experiments, critically analyzing data, and communicating results both in writing and orally. Research components such as hypothesis formulation and refinement, literature review, experimental design, analysis of results, and hypothesis feedback for recommendations of next steps and future work will be practiced in parallel with the main hands-on project. For those students conducting extension project, we will follow a very similar student development approach as with the research. Students will work around an extension issue using a blend of social science approaches including survey or interview methodology. Students will also work with faculty members and post-doc members to develop extension communication products (e.g. UNL CropWatch articles, presentations, interactive videos).The research portion of the REEU is designed to meet our first three objectives, particularly in helping REEU participants develop as independent researchers through systematic instruction in research skills while simultaneously engaging in research projects. Individual projects will be carefully designed by mentors to be immediately hands-on, include real and practical research and extension activities, and be achievable within the 10-week summer program. REEU participants will undertake individual research projects that have been well-prepared by the faculty mentors to permit immediate student immersion and are designed to fit into the larger context of the mentor's research program (see Table 2). The research projects will give students experience in contributing to a research plan, conducting experiments, critically analyzing data, and communicating results both in writing and orally. Research components such as hypothesis formulation and refinement, literature review, experimental design, analysis of results, and hypothesis feedback for recommendations of next steps and future work will be practiced in parallel with the main hands-on project. For those students conducting extension project, we will follow a very similar student development approach as with the research. Students will work around an extension issue using a blend of social science approaches including survey or interview methodology. Students will also work with faculty members and post-doc members to develop extension communication products (e.g. UNL CropWatch articles, presentations, interactive videos).

Progress 02/15/19 to 02/14/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Our program selected27 undergraduate students from throughout the US (approx 7 each year). We aimed for atleast scholars each year to befemale and/or from underrepresented groups. We selected students interested in pursuing scientific careers, who are doing well academically, and/or are the first in their family to go to college. Changes/Problems:We encountered one majorchallengeduring our program - the impact of COVID-19 during the middle of our funding period. We paused our program in 2020 due to COVID-19 shutdowns (asked for a no-cost extension). We resumed the program in-person in 2021 with some activities like the research symposium being virtual to reduce contact between the 100's of participants at our university. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?REEU scholars participated in a comprehensive professional development program offered by the UNL Office of Graduate Studies, Research and Extension training by the REEU faculty (lab mentors), and Program Directors PDs (Weekly Beneficial Insect PD Meet and Shares and Field Trips). Graduate Students and Post-Doctoral Professionals are required to attend pre-program professional development on mentoring and related issues. Mentor professional development was offered by the UNL office of graduate studies. Faculy mentors are invited to all professional development opportunities. All scholars worked on research projects resulting in research posterspresented (by the scholar) at a culminating summer research fair with other REU and REEU programs at UNL. 22 of the 28 scholars participated in extension activities/events, and 10 scholars created example education extension products. Professional development activities offered by Graduate Studies (slight variation year to year). (1.5 hours in length) Getting to Know the Campus and the City Title IX training Mentor Relationships and Mentor Panel Research Ethics/Integritiy Research Self-Efficacy and Individual Research Development Plans Authorship Scientific Writing Scientific Presentations Mock Symposium Data Visualization Picture a Scientist (DEI in Science) Positionality Graduate Student Panel (interact and ask questions from graduate students) GRE Workshop Applying to graduate school (application letter writing included/resources) Program Director Led Training for Beneficial Insects Scholars Know your insects/What is the work of an entomologist? Discussions with extension professionals and an extensiondean (know extension) Developing scientific posters/poster critiques Extension product development Public Science Communication/Extension Communication Training Weekly picture share fair/tell your story for the week Writing a Resume'/CV Public Extension Education Program Teaching (varies by year: Big pollinator education event, teaching with summer school children, summer youth program education (teaching about insects), and individual faculty extension programming. Field trips (tours of insects and plants in central Nebraska native/unplowed prairie, visit industries where entomologists workLi-Cor Corporation/Plant Phenotyping Center/Pheasants Forever Pollinator/Wildlife Biologist Visit (tailored to students' interest each year), Tour of Omaha's Zoo Insect Rearing Facility (and insect endangered species recovery programs) Mentor Training (pre-scholar arrival)(Post-doc, Graduate Student, and Staff) (Office of Graduate Studies) Title IX training Working with mentees Being a good research mentor Reducing bias Safety and policy training related to visiting scholars How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We presented the final results and impact of our REEU programat the 2023 Entomological of AmericaAnnual Meeting Golick, D. (Author and Presenter), Brewer, G., Anderson, T., Louis, J., Velez, A., Wu-Smart, J., Peterson, J., Weissling, T., McMechan, J., Smart, A., Bingham, G., Rault-Bucklin, L., & Dauer, J. "Rearing the next generation of entomologists through a research and extension experiences program". (Poster). ESA National Meeting Member. National Harbor, MD. (Nov 7, 2023) The program was also discussed as a part of a presentation at the 2021 Entomological Society of America Meeting Golick, D., and Wu-Smart, J. (Presenter). Beneficial insects education: Approaches to program implementation to meet the educational needs of partner organizations. (Oral presentation) Entomological Society of America, Denver, CO (Oct 31, 2021). We discussed and showed REEU student work (with crediting) withinmany faculty presentations (estimated from faculty colleagues) over 20 presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Obj1. 28 scholars were supported by the grantattended the Beneficial Insects REEU (4 program years). 28 scholars participated in unique research projects 28 posters were created and presented by scholars at an undergraduate research fair 10scholars created unique extension products (unpublished) (e.g., videos, pamphlets, and social media campaigns) When asked 12 months after the REEU, "What did you gain from participating in the Beneficial Insects REEU?" 88-100% of respondents across all years agreed (n = 14) •confidence as a researcher •ability to complete research independently •tolerance for obstacles faced in research •skill in navigating mentor relationships Scholar demographics (n = 23 (5 chose not to report demographics)) •70% of participants identified as female, 25% male, 5% chose not to answer. •21% identified as African-American, American-Indian, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and Multiracial Scholars. •83% of scholars were enrolled in institutions with limited opportunities. Obj2. When asked 12 months after the REEU, "What did you gain from participating in the Beneficial Insects REEU?" 88-100% of respondents across all years agreed (n = 14) •skill in presenting research to others (to scientists and lay audiences) Obj3. Of the scholars that worked with extension mentors, 100%(n = 15) of scholars reported pre-to-end program improvement in theirskill in creating research and extension products worthy of publication or presentation. Obj4. Graduate school and career decisions impact of program 10 Beneficial Insects REEU scholars have/are attending graduate school in entomologyschools 5 in other STEM sciences (marine biology, botany, agronomy, environmental science, plant pathology) 2 in professional schools (nursing, environmental law/policy) 2 applying (as of spring 2023) 5 still in school 4 not reporting/unknown After the Beneficial Insect REEU, 33% ofscholars reported that they were, "Now convinced that graduate school is for me.", 7% said they were, "Now unsure about graduate school", and 60% said, "Unchanged. I still plan to go to graduate school." (n = 15) When asked 12 months after the REEU, "What did you gain from participating in the Beneficial Insects REEU?" 88-100% of respondents across all years agreed (n = 14) to the statement, "a clarification of my career path." In the summative program survey, scholars wereasked to describe how their experience with the Beneficial Insects influencedtheir decision to pursue further education. Most respondents highlighted the program's provision of hands-on experience in a lab setting and immersion in graduate level work. One respondent observedthat the program "helped [them] develop quality research skills, including critically evaluating data, formulating hypotheses, and designing repeatable experiments." Furthermore, they stated, "the programhelped [them] develop [their] ability to present data" logically and efficiently. Many respondents highlighted how they were able to work with various scholars and faculty to gain insight into what different fields of study would expect of them. Additionally, the Beneficial Insects REEU provided program participants with insight into what specifically they would be interested in learning aboutif they were to pursue higher education. One respondent conveyed that prior to the REEU they"didn't have an idea on what [they] wanted to research, "while another respondent expressed that they"worked with bees [which] led [them] to think more about what [they] want[ed] to study, so [they]switched to something that requires less protection." Regarding how the REEU program was most helpful, several respondents mentioned it benefited them when applying for graduate school. Not only did the program help in preparing program participants for graduate school, but numerous respondents also discovered what they did or did not have an interest in studying after the program. One respondent said the program "helped shape the direction [they] wanted to pursue studies in." Additionally, another respondent stated the program, "made [them] want to [further] combine [their] two passions [of] microbiology and entomology." Other respondents articulated that the program only added to their interest in entomology. One respondent reported that the program," confirmed [their] previous plan to pursue a graduate education by furthering [their] passion for research," while another proclaimed, "The Beneficial Insects Program was an excellent reinforcement of [their] desire to pursue graduate-level education." Some respondents discussed that they were "able to test[themselves] further with a project that pushed [their] time management skills to levels [they] could expectin graduate school." Furthermore, some respondents who had no prior experience in entomology were able to quickly learn and grow to enjoy the work they did. As one noted, "This experience at the REEU secured this spot in my mind and showed me that I could do it."

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Krueger, A., Moyer, H. L., Velez, A., Weissling, T., and Anderson, T. D. 2019. Toxicology of a pyrethroid insecticide in the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and interactions with host plant defense chemicals and chemical fertilizers. Poster presentation by AK at at SETAC North America 40th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, November 03-07
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Moyer, H., Krueger, A., Weissling, T., Velez, A., and Anderson, T. D. Moyer, H., Krueger, A., Weissling, T., Velez, A., and Anderson, T. D. 2019. General Esterase Activity of Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) Exposed to Pyrethroid Insecticides. Poster presentation by HM at SETAC North America 40th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, November 03-07
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Moyer, H., Krueger, A., Weissling, T., Velez, A., and Anderson, T. D. 2019. General Esterase Activity of Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) Exposed to Pyrethroid Insecticides. Poster presentation by HM at Entomology 2019, St. Louis, MO, November 17-20
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Smart, M., Otto, Clint, Maul, E. 2013 Examining landscape impacts on honey bee colonies using automated hive scales. Invited presentation.. How to Speak for the Pollinators: Using Big Data to Manage and Conserve Pollinator Communities 2019, ESA Annual Conference. St. Louis, MO, November 19, 2019.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Ihlara, G., & Wu-Smart, J., 2021. Plant-Insect Interactions at Pollinator Habitats in Mead, NE. at University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2021, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Mack, I., Jimenez, C., Dauer, D., & Golick, D. 2019. Revealing Misconceptions About Pollinators via Online Surveys at University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2019, Lincoln, NE, August 2.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Golick, D. (Author and Presenter), Brewer, G., Anderson, T., Louis, J., Velez, A., Wu-Smart, J., Peterson, J., Weissling, T., McMechan, J., Smart, A., Bingham, G., Rault-Bucklin, L., & Dauer, J. Rearing the next generation of entomologists through a research and extension experiences program. (Poster). ESA National Meeting Member. National Harbor, MD. (Nov 7, 2023).
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Berrios-Starbird, A., & Anderson, T. 2021. Effect of Chlropyrifos-oxon and Piperonyl Butoxide on Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Monarch Butterflies. at University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2021, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Kristen, T. & Peterson, J. 2021 Impact of Conservation Grasslands on Beneficial Insects in Adjacent Crop Fields University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2021, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Harrod, A., Golick, & D., Dauer, J., J. 2021 Be(e)wildering Misconceptions; Examining Erroneous Thinking About Pollinators University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2021, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Limes, H. & Smart, A. 2021 Unforb-gettable, though near or farm: Bee flower preference in the northern Great Plains University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2021, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2021 Citation: Breighton, R., Greiner, M., Krueger, A., & Velez Arrango, A. 2021 Effects of Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica L.) in the Artificial Diet of Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.) University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2021, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Yox, R., & Weissling, T. 2022. Microarthropod Diversity Assessment in Milkweed Flowers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2021, Lincoln, NE, August 4.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Arnoldi, A., Rault-Bucklin, L., Anderson, T. 2022. Plant Feeding Mosquitoes from Pollinator Gardens on East Campus (Lincoln NE), University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2022, Lincoln, NE, August 4.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Smart, E., & Wu-Smart, J. 2022. A Novel Method of Pesticide Application on Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Wax, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2022, Lincoln, NE, August 4.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Wilcox, G. & Wu-Smart, J. 2022. Testing Novel Methods for Assessing Hygienic Performance in Honey Bee Colonies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2022, Lincoln, NE, August 4.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Johnston, M., & McMechan, J. 2022. Soybean Gall Midge: Impact of Moisture on Adult Emergence, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2022, Lincoln, NE, August 4.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Thompson, MaryGrace. & Smart, A. 2022. The buzz around town: Plant-wild bee interactions in an urban botanical garden, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2022, Lincoln, NE, August 4.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Johnston, Natalie. & Velez Arrango, A. 2022. Developing an Insecticide Bioassay for Soybean Gall Midge, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2022, Lincoln, NE, August 4.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Hall, R., & Weissling, T. 2023. Parasitic Wasps on Milkweed University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2023, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Sofia Ayala & Louis, J., 2023. Title: Role of fall armyworm frass in modulating sorghum defenses. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2023, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Manna, C., & McMechan, J. 2023. Micromanaging Midges: Utilization of Stem Removal in the Soybean Gall Midge Colony University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2023, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Coleman, G., Anderson, T., & Rault-Bucklin, L. 2023. Sugar and Plant Tissue Analysis of Pollinator Garden-Collected Mosquitoes. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2023, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Daniels, J. & Brewer, G., 2023. Potential of Black Soldier Fly Larvae as a Biocontrol Agent for Stable Fly Larvae. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2023, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Chandler, M. & Velez Arrango, A. 2023. Evaluation of Artificial Diets for Monarch Caterpillar Development. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2023, Lincoln, NE, August 3.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Yeatman, R. & Bingham, G. 2023. The Benefits of Black Soldier Flies: The Effects of Hermetia illucens on Soil Microbiota. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Undergraduate Research Conference 2023, Lincoln, NE, August 3.


Progress 02/15/22 to 02/14/23

Outputs
Target Audience:This grant allows undergraduate students who qualify to receive training in research in Beneficial Insects. Our goal is for at least 4 of our participants on a annual basis to befemale and/or from underrepresented groups each year. We select for students interested in pursuing scientific careers in agriculural science-related field, who are do well academically, who have limited research experience, and/or are the first in their family to go to college. Accepted students into this 2022 SRP were paired with faculty mentors working on research. Seven students attended the program in 2022. 4of the 7 students identified aswomen, 2 male, and 1 self-identified as unspecified/non-binary. This year, 7 of 7 students identified as White with one also self-identifying also as Asian.For the 2022 REEU recruitment we markedly increased our recruiting strategy to reach out to individual high-needs schools including contacts at HBCUs and marking through national MANNRS. This effort led to an increase application submission from underrepresented scholars up from 11% to 17% of applications turned in from the previous year's submissions. We made offers to many URM applicants in 2022 butmost of our offers were turned down by these individuals due to high competition and as theyhad accepted offers from other institutions with earlier application and review deadlines.Students spent ten weeks working on research at UNL that promoted beneficial insects in agroecosystems including studying insect pollinators, crop pest predators, soil dwellers, and Soybean gall midge, andimpacts of enviromental pesticides at Mead, Nebraska's ALTeN planton beneficial insects. Changes/Problems: •Recruitment loss with "backouts" of students in 2022 due to high competitioneven withtargeted recruitment of students through personal contacts at HBCUs, student organizations, and faculty contacts. •Based on student feedback our fact component was reduced as a few of our key faculty left in this area - smaller component. We have reduced the amount (blanket Big Data training) for every REEU student in our program and made the training available only for those engaged in big data researchprojects. This did not affect the goals of the outcomes of our program. We did not change the program beyond the items suggested and still, for example, met our recruitment and target audience goals. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We also took field tripsto Gjerfoff Prairie and were hosted and given a tour by the Prairie Plains Resource Institute https://www.prairieplains.org/ of their native grass and flower seeds processing facility •We went on a tour of the Omaha Zoo's invertebrate rearing and conservation facility. We received behind-the-scenes tour of their husbandry facilities for the endangered species Salt Creek Tiger beetles. UNL graduate studies also provide a comprehensive professional development series for all of the 150 REU and REEU students at UNL. Our students participated in approximately 30 hrs of additional PD on: • Orientation to UNL Campus and facilities • Diversity and Inclusion. Title IX • Authorship workshop • Financial literacy as a REU student, student, and graduate student • Research Cycle and Working with Mentors • Scientific writing • Networking in research and in finding a position • Mock Symposium - participating in reviewing talks and posters • Apply to school and personal statements workshop • Student panel on graduate school • Poster and paper development • GRE workshop Additionally, our REEU students met for two hours on Friday afternoons as a group to build extension and science communication skills development, entomology research skills development activities, poster critiques, and sharing experiences each week. All 7 student engaged in structured extension education delivery activities (e.g. teaching beneficial insect systems to elementary-aged learners, crop field days, and honey bee health workshops. Students were also invited to 10 social events including visits to the zoo, evening kayaking, local lake recreation visits hosted by UNL graduate studies for REU students How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?This year we reported and shared our results with colleagues at the joint USDA PI meeting in April. We also shared our results with other UNL REU and REEUs at UNL through PI group there. We will present project results at our national meeting in November 2023. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We will have 7 more REEU students attend this summer and reach our student number goals - proceed as in previous years (build on the successful aspects of the program. An outside consultant team, will coduct the 2023 evaluation and Final Evaluation of our program. Project results will be presented via oral presentationat the 2023 Entomology of America Meeting The Final Report will be turned at theend of the project.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Progress toward project aims/goals 1. We had 7 REEU students attend from 6 different schools outside of Nebraska. All 7 completed small research projects and all engaged in extension projects. 100% of 2023 students reported that they gained in their: -Ability to complete research independently -Confidence in my potential as a scholar -Confidence as a researcher 2. All participants engaged in Extension engagement program on insects and entomologywith a summer school program at a Lincoln, NEelementary school.2 students participated in the delivery of a master beekeeping/Great Plains beekeeping workshop on treating bees for disease. All studentsparticipated in science communication and poster development professional development. All presented their research at the University of Nebraskasummer research fair. 100% of 2023 students reported that they gained in their: -Skill in creating research and extension products worthy of publication or presentation 3.2 students developed draft pamphlets (example products)explaining their research to lay audiences.Students talked about the ways in which the REEU helped them with their professional development and future plans during the midpoint focus group. They talked about the exposure to multiple occupations through their experience in the lab. Some of the students discussed receiving helpful advice from their mentors about graduate school and their future career paths. During the endpoint focus group, students talked about feeling that the REEU was good preparation for graduate school in that it taught them accountability and was a good hands-on experience. . In both the pre and post-program surveys, students were specifically asked about their plans for graduate school. 4. 80% of students reported that the experience better helped them prepare for graduate school and a field in entomology or related agricultural sciences. Student reported, that the beneficial insects REEU, "helped [them] prepare for grad school very well" and that they have been able to narrow their career path to one of two very specific options. During the endpoint focus group, students agreed that the summer research program aided them in preparing for graduate studies and their future careers."

Publications


    Progress 02/15/21 to 02/14/22

    Outputs
    Target Audience:This grant allows undergraduate students who qualify to receive trainingin research in Beneficial Insects.Our targets are for at least 4 of them to be female and/or from underrepresented groups each year. We will select for students interested in pursuing scientific careers, who are doing well academically, who have limited research experience, and/or are the first in their family to go to college.Accepted students into this 2021 SRP were paired with faculty mentors workingon research. Sevenstudents attended the program in 2021. 6 of the 7 students were women (86%). 1 identified as hispanic/lation, 2 identified as asian, 5 identified as white. 14% were underepresented minorities. Accepted students into this 2021 SRP were paired with faculty mentors working on research. Students spent ten weeks working on research at UNL that promoted beneficial insects in agroecosystems including studying insect pollinators, crop pest predators, soil dwellers, and related human conservation behaviors. Changes/Problems:We experienced nomajor problems and no problemswere reported to us by students through our discussion and inindependent evaluator's final report for 2021. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Students attended 10 2 hour hands-on/active workshops facilitated by experts on these topics;working with research mentors, authorship and Title IX, building your newtwork and brand as a researcher, graduate student panel (discussion), intercultural development (with inventory exercise), personal dimension training,fostering self efficacy in research and individual development plans, applying to graduate school, creating research and video presentations, and science communication and scientific writing. Students also attended 3 field trips one 6 hour trip to the Prairie Plains Research Institute - 600 acres restored prairie for discussion of beneficial insects and plant relationships in praries, Omaha Zoo Insect Rearing of insects and endangered SCTB, and Li-Cor Scientific Instruments headquarters - science industry careers Additionally our REEU students met with project Directorstwo hours on Friday afternoons as a group to go over extension and science communication skills development, entomology research skills development activities, poster critiques, and sharing experiences each week. Students were also invited to 6 social events including visits to the zoo, evening kayaking, local lake recreation visits hosted by UNL graduate studies for REU students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Our REEU data was presented to other undergraduate researchers as a part of our summer undergraduate research symposium - 89 students participated and viewed each others' presentations in 2021. 4 of our students participated in public extension and science literacy outreach activities across 5 events reaching approximately, 45 children and family members and 34 adult audience members. Additionally results of the program have been shared internally with our faculty, staff, and other REEU's at UNL to share our success and suggestions for improvements of REEU. We hope to publish the success of our REEU in 2023 and share with others considering providing a similar program. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to increase our public science communication and extension activities and professional development through partnering with summer school program at a local elementary school. PI - Golick will facilitate teaching sessions over a two week period during the REEU with 40 elementary students. We will conduct precreated hands-on STEM activities with insects in coordination with the summerprogram director, a former NE Extension Assistant. Will will also ask students to create 1 science communication product either a video for social media distribution or an extension publication translating an aspect of their research product. For the other aspects of the program, we plan to continue with the general PD plan but will add two field trips to external sites including a research and extension center and Arbor Day Farms to view their public outreach education programming and facilities.

    Impacts
    What was accomplished under these goals? 1) All students conducted research under the mentorship of both facutly mentors and graduate students. Student research project topics included (broadly), pollinator ecoystem health, honey bee health, monarch butterfly larval health and development (food meal), human dimensions of pollinator conservation misconceptions, beneficial insects in grassland ecoystems. Students attended 10 professional development workshops and 3 field trips to external sites. 2). Students received training in science communication and creating posters and presentations for both scientists and lay audiences. Students also received mentorship and guidance on creating a poster and poster presentation for a virtual undergraduate research summit with all of our institutions REU and REEUs. 4 of the 7 students praticipated in outreach events with the public including pollinator outreach and extension presentations. Events were in person one day events. Students also attending 3 workshops held by our Graduate Studies department and 1 by Beneficial Insect Leadsfocused on science communication including:Science Communication and Scientific writing, Creating a research poster and video, and evaluating science communication products and reaching lay audiences. 3). All 7 REEU students created asynchronus video presentations (3 minutes each) on their REEU poster topic for distribution through UNLs internal social media and video platforms. 4). Several aspects of impacting students careers were achieved through All students received hands on workshops on several topics related to persuing an agriculutural science degree including: Applying to and funding graduate educatoin, Working with research mentors, Authorship and Title IX, Building your newtwork and brand as a researcher, Graduate student panel (discussion) Our independent evaluators found in student surveys that there was frompre to post program an increase from: 3 to 6 students saying they would consider applying to graduate school, from 3 to 5 saying they plan to obatina a degree in a STEM field, 4 to 5 plan to get a PhD, 4 to 6 saying they would apply for grad school in entomology, 0 to 1 planning to attend our UNL for graduate school. During the midpoint focus group, students reported that the SRP was enabling them to gain analytical skills, conduct scientific research, think creatively, construct good questions, organize data collection, and input data in Excel. One student mentioned they were still unsure of future plans but that the summer research program had exposed them to many different career opportunities while another student expressed feeling "that [the program] helped [them] prepare for grad school very well" and that they had been able to narrow their career path to one of two very specific options. During the endpoint focus group, students agreed that the summer research program aided them in preparing for graduate studies and their future career. One articulated having a "great experience" with their mentor but the mentor did not have a traditional lab, so the student stated feeling they "missed out on traditional lab experience that other students got." Another student articulated "hoping to have more experience with quantitative data analysis but that just wasn't what [their] project ended up being on."

    Publications


      Progress 02/15/20 to 02/14/21

      Outputs
      Target Audience: Nothing Reported Changes/Problems:Due to the pandemicwe did not conduct our REEU program in person and did not move our program virtually in 2020. Our Year 2 of the project will be reflecting in Reporting period Ending in Feb 14, 2022. We will resume project in Summer of 2021. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?During this reporting period (Summer of 2020) we did not conduct or REEU program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Year 2 of the project will be reflecting in Reporting period Ending in Feb 14, 2022. 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? Nothing Reported

      Impacts
      What was accomplished under these goals? During this reporting period (Summer of 2020) we did not conduct or REEU program due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Year 2 of the project will be reflecting in Reporting period Ending in Feb 14, 2022.

      Publications


        Progress 02/15/19 to 02/14/20

        Outputs
        Target Audience:We reached 5 undergraduate students from 5 acadmic institutions from Landgrant and non-Landgrant institutions. A total of 80 undergraduate students applied for the Beneficial Insects REEU Program (Table 1) for a total of five positions. Among the applicants, 45 (56%) were female and 32 (40%) were underrepresented minorities (URM). Meanwhile, four of the five students who accepted the offer from he program (80%), were female. Four of the five 2019 REEU participants were women.3 were minorities. All but one came from an institution with very limited research opportunties. All came from institutions outside of Nebraska, with only one from the Midwest. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?All REEU students participated in 4 Big Data Analysis Software sessions wth UNL's Holland Computing Centerhttps://hcc.unl.edu/big-dataThese two our sessions covered accessing UNL's Data Center's Terminals and running R and Matlab. In addition, Holland Computing Center Staff conducted a custom session for our REEU group on biological and ecological research and interfacewith Big Data. We also took field trips to Li-Cor BioSciennces Headquartershttps://www.licor.com/and looked at their genetic and environmental research division and talked to their HR leads about applying to industry positions. We took a field trip to GjerfoffPrairie and were hosted and given a tour by the Prairie Plains Resource Institutehttps://www.prairieplains.org/of their native grass and flower seeds processing facility . We went on a tour of the Omaha Zoo's invertebrate rearing and conservation facility. We received a behinds the scenes tour on their husbandry facilities and endangered species Salt Creek Tiger beetles breeding facility. UNL graduate studies also provide a comprehensive professional development series for all of the 170 REU and REEU students at UNL. Our students participated in approximately 30 hrs of additional PD on: Orientation to UNL Campus and facilities Diversity and Inclusion Title IX Authorship workshop Financial literacy as a REU student, student, and graduate student Research Cycle and Working with Mentors Scientific writing Networking in research and in finding a position Mock Symposium - participating in reviewing talks and postrs Grad school and personal statements workshop Student panel on graduate school Poster and paper development GRE workshop Additionally our REEU students met for two hours on Friday afternoons as a group to go over extension and science communication skills development, entomology research skills development activities, poster critiques, and sharing experiences each week. Students were also invited to 10 social events including visits to the zoo, evening kayaking, local lake recreation visits hosted by UNL graduate studies for REU students. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, the results of the program have been shared internally with our faculty, staff, and other REEU's at UNL to share our success and suggestions for improvements of REEU. All students presented their research at a large research fair with about 200 other graduate and undergraduates also doing summer research experiences at the University of Nebraska. We hope to publish the success of our REEU in 2021 to share with others considering providing a similar program. Three of the 5 students in our 2019 REEU are working with their mentors on manuscripts for publication. This are still in progress and we will hopefully have something to share in the next reporting cycle. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We plan to continue to follow nearly the same plan/format for the 2020 REEU as we did for the 2019 pilot year. Based on student feedback we will further customize our big data workshops (in conjuction with the Holland Computing Center) to meet the needs of our REEU students. Our students thought the biological and ecological sciences session was most beneficial as opposed to the large group workshop on Big Data. We will also ask all REEU student to create an extension product. This will provide the opportunity for all students to practice these skills as opposed to only those wanting this experience (as was the case in 2019). Also students said they wanted hands-on experience working with live insects over the summer. We did more of this towards the end. Only 2 of the 5 REEU students had field-based work. We will work to provide this experience to all students in 2020.

        Impacts
        What was accomplished under these goals? All Data in reporting goals is taken from our formal evaluation conducted by professionals outside of our REEU (Evaluators) Goal 1. All REEU students successfully completed the REEU program: conducted unique researchand presented their research posters at the end of the REEU program. All students created a research product or other product as a part of the program, with 4 of the 5 students presenting their work at a conference in 2019. Based on the program evaluation, pre to post REEU students reported more confidence in: Conducting science research Working effectively with mentor Giving effective presentations Preparing a research poster (80% increase) Working Collaboratively Setting project goals Working independently on research Communicating my expectations regarding research responsibilities Goal 2. During the endpoint focus group students talked about what they gained through participating in the REEU. A few faculty members said that they thought their students gained communications skills and grew significantly when it came to working in the lab. In the post-program survey, students were asked what they gained from participating in the REU: Below shows five statements that all the REEU students agreed with. Some of the response options included skills they mentioned during the focus group, such as completing research independently and confidence in themselves as researchers and their potential as scholars. Skill in presenting my research to others Ability to complete research independently Confidence in my potential as a scholar Confidence as a researcher A research and extension product worthy of publication or presentation Goal 3. All of our students participated in group professional development activities on science communication skill development and creating extension materials. Two of our students worked more closely with PI Golick and their mentors on extension materials development with a focus on translating their research into extension products. One student used MS Publisher to develop and Extension Pamphlet for use in teaching about pollinators. Another created Facebook posts for use in communicating conservation issues around milkweed plants. Goal 4. Students talked about the ways in which the REEU helped them with their professional development and future plans during the midpoint focus group. They talked about the exposure to multiple occupations through their experience in the lab. Some of the students discussed receiving helpful advice from their mentors about graduate school and their future career paths. During the endpoint focus group, students talked about feeling that the REEU was good preparation for graduate school in that it taught them accountability and was good hands on experience. In addition, they stated that it the REEU was agood networking opportunity. In both the pre and post-program surveys, students were specifically asked about their plans for graduate school. Participating in the REEU demonstrated to have increased students' desire to apply to UNL, obtain a PhD, and apply for a graduate program in the same discipline they conducted research in over the summer. In the endpoint focus group, some students were certain that they wanted to go to graduate school, while other students were still thinking about the possibility. Of the students that said they were interested in going to graduate school, some reported that they wanted to go into entomology, while others wanted to go into other STEM fields.

        Publications

        • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Student Haley Moyer co-Author on poster presented at SETAC North America Meeting (International) Krueger, A., Moyer, H. L., Velez, A., Weissling, T., and Anderson, T. D. 2019. Toxicology of a pyrethroid insecticide in the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) and interactions with host plant defense chemicals and chemical fertilizers. Poster presentation by AK at at SETAC North America 40th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, November 03-07
        • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Moyer, H., Krueger, A., Weissling, T., Velez, A., and Anderson, T. D. 2019. General Esterase Activity of Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) Exposed to Pyrethroid Insecticides. Poster presentation by HM at SETAC North America 40th Annual Meeting, Toronto, Ontario, November 03-07
        • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Moyer, H., Krueger, A., Weissling, T., Velez, A., and Anderson, T. D. 2019. General Esterase Activity of Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) Exposed to Pyrethroid Insecticides. Poster presentation by HM at Entomology 2019, St. Louis, MO, November 17-20
        • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2019 Citation: Smart, M., Otto, Clint, Maul, E. 2013 Examining landscape impacts on honey bee colonies using automated hive scales. Invited presentation.. How to Speak for the Pollinators: Using Big Data to Manage and Conserve Pollinator Communities 2019, ESA Annual Conference. St. Louis, MO, November 19, 2019.