Changing Course during COVID-19 with a Hybrid Virtual – In-person Bridge to Research REU Program

Abstract:

During spring 2020, unprecedented spread of the novel COVID-19 virus forced ending public gatherings and sent the entire world into quarantine. Faced with an uncertain future, NSF-funded REU programs struggled with planning for their summer internship programs and generally settled for either canceling outright or offering a virtual research experience online. Recognize that students in ‘bridge’ programs that cater to younger freshmen/sophomore, first-generation, and minority students would likely be more adversely affected by cancellation than more traditional REU programs. These bridge programs focus on nurtured experiences and highly integrated cohort building, and it was not clear how virtual programs would facilitate these critical research pathways that improve diversity in science. While professional development and introduction to science can be conducted online, the comradery and shared experiences of field work, practical laboratory experience, and immersive support environment could not be facilitated in an online environment. The loss of a single, or should the COVID infection continue, multiple years cohorts would significantly impact the pipeline SSU’s REU program built over the past decade from inexperienced undergraduate to STEM bachelors, masters, and doctoral students. Thus, an alternative hybrid program was initiated and supported 8 students, which incorporated virtual and in-person activities during the summer and continued during the academic year to fully engage these students. Specifically, the summer included part-time virtual professional development similar to the traditional full-time first two weeks in the bridge program. During the academic year, students traveled to SSU during long weekends approximately once each month to conduct field work, meet with mentors, and participate in shared cohort experiences. Although the experience is not over, nor are the in-person meetings fully scheduled during the writing of this abstract, we share positive experiences during the summer virtual and fall in-person activities in hopes that the best practices observed under particularly difficult times can lead to improved REU experiences for all students during a COVID-vaccinated future.