This paper reports on the fourth year of a cybersecurity-focused research experience for
undergraduates programs site in the summer of 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the site operated in a hybrid mode during this summer, after operating entirely virtually during the
summer of 2020. The paper compares the results of operating in a hybrid mode with two years of in-person operations and one year of virtual operations. It discusses the lessons learned when operating in the hybrid mode and makes recommendations for future hybrid REU implementations.
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Operations of a Research Experience for Undergraduates Program During a Pandemic
COVID-19 dramatically changed research experience for undergraduates (REU) programs
during the summer of 2020. Given the uncertainty about the ability to conduct future REU
programs onsite amidst a pandemic of unknown duration, it was decided to undertake the
development of a model for online-based REUs and evaluate it using the evaluation tools that have been applied for some time to onsite programs. This paper presents the REU program at North Dakota State University during the summer of 2020 and its assessment. An overview of the program, as it ran in 2020, is provided. This is compared to the way the program operated in prior years as an onsite program. Specific changes that were made and their impact on the equivalency of the program to prior years are discussed. The approach used is presented as a model for potential use by other programs in the future.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1757659
- PAR ID:
- 10281516
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Proceedings of the 2021 ASEE Annual Conference
- Volume:
- 2021
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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