Research Experience for Undergraduates and Teachers in Materials for Society
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
REU Site Dates: 16 May through 19 July 2024.
The application process is OPEN now!
Materials science is the enabling technology behind everything from modern electronics to fashion, safe and recyclable packaging, faster and fuel-efficient vehicles, novel energy generation and storage, aerospace propulsion systems, affordable housing, medical engineering, sensors, nanotechnology, and micromachines. One of the most exciting directions in science and policy-making is sustainability, with its emphasis on energy conservation, storage, and renewable production.
The objective of this Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at Boise State University is to provide an intensive research-team experience with state-of-the-art facilities while exploring activities within the theme materials for society. Mentors from various disciplines work with students to develop skills needed to excel in academic and industrial research environments, where interdisciplinary teams are standard. Students ultimately present their results at the annual summer research conference.
Cost for Students to Participate
There is no cost to REU Program participants! Students selected to participate in the REU receive a $600-$700 stipend per week. Housing and a meal plan is provided on the Boise State campus. A limited number of travel allowances are also available for out-of-state participants.
Travel allowances are not available to students who live within a 100 mile radius of Boise State University. Local students are welcome to stay in on-campus housing for the duration of the REU.
Research Projects
Projects generally fall into one or more of four broad categories:
- Energy generation (e.g., solar cells, magnetic shape-memory alloys, thermoelectrics)
- Energy storage (e.g., sodium-ion batteries, building systems)
- Energy conservation (e.g., carbon nanoelectronics)
- Societal challenges associated with materials processing/modeling/characterization (e.g., carbon nanoelectronics, empirical modeling)
These research and educational activities are supported by the National Science Foundation, Office of Special Programs, Division of Materials Research.
Research Experience for Teachers (RET)
RET Component Dates: 3 June through 26 July 2024 (with flexibility depending on academic calendars).
The application process will open soon…
We also offer a Research Experience for Teachers (RET) component aiding the integration of research with education and multiplying the benefit to both students and teachers. RETs play an important role in enhancing K-12 teacher skills in communicating science. Our goal is to help teachers better appreciate what materials science is, what materials professionals do, and how materials science serves society.
This eight week summer research experience is for teachers and runs in tandem with the REU. The RET at Boise State will expose STEM teachers to research techniques, instrumentation, and personnel that will better equip them to teach and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Cost for Teachers to Participate
There is no cost to REU Program participants! Teachers selected to participate in the RET receive a $850 stipend per week. Limited housing is provided on the Boise State campus.