AC 2011-811: GRADUATE STUDENTS MENTORING UNDERGRADU- ATERESEARCHERSONALARGE-SCALEEXPERIMENTALRESEARCH PROJECT - A CASE STUDY

The paper describes our strategies and experiences in recruiting, training, advising, and mentoring five undergraduate student researchers for a large-scale experimental research project. Specific discussions focus on the development of student learning outcomes and the establishment of a recruiting program. For this project, graduate student leaders served as the primary mentors to the undergraduate researchers. In the paper, we discuss how the graduate students prepared for their roles as research mentors. The principal investigators worked with the graduate student leaders to provide advice and training on topics such as teamwork, project management, communication, feedback, and student learning. Details of this approach are described in the paper. The paper also includes a discussion of the methods used to assess the undergraduate students' project experiences. Examples are provided of different work products prepared by the undergraduates. Also provided are the results of a post-employment assessment survey, which was developed by the graduate student leaders and a principal investigator. The survey results indicate that the undergraduate student research experiences have been challenging and rewarding. The survey results also provide valuable feedback for the graduate student leaders. At the mid-point of the project, the graduate students are using the feedback to develop specific recommendations for managing the research project and mentoring undergraduates in the future. The recommendations are summarized in the paper.