A virtual REU program in Astrobiology and Planetary Science at the SETI Institute

Abstract:

The SETI Institute REU program converted to a virtual format for Summer 2020 in response to the realities of the Covid-19 pandemic in the United States. We selected 9 students, all of whom had applied to the program before the pandemic appeared. Students remained at their individual places of residence and connected regularly via Zoom and Slack. In some cases, computer equipment and/or wifi access were provided to students at their residences at program expense. Computer equipment remains the property of the program and will be returned for use in future years.

We have created a multi-faceted program featuring 1) lectures by institute scientists introducing students to the research being done at the institute, 2) "virtual field trips" giving a taste of some of the on-site experiences that the students would have had in a normal year, 3) professional development discussions on topics including the nature of science and research, how to give a scientific talk, how to write a CV, and future career options, and 4) a "journal club" series in which students practice giving talks presenting peer-reviewed journal articles and give feedback on each other's talks. Meetings are four days per week, more frequent than in a normal year, in an attempt to keep students connected despite their physical isolation.

We have built social time into the program, as a way of replicating some of the cohort-building that would have come naturally if students were living together. Some sessions end with students being randomly paired up in Zoom "breakout rooms" for individual conversation, and others end with a general open line for conversation and hanging out. The students also created their own social media channels for mutual interaction.

As every year, each student is paired with a research mentor who guides them in a research project, which is the primary activity of the program. As with program communications, students communicated with their mentors via Zoom and Slack and other channels. Some students experienced more challenges than others due to technological difficulties associated with the remote format, and/or personal difficulties associated with the pandemic and lockdown. Mentors also communicated among themselves more frequently than in a normal year, sharing experiences and suggestions.