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Title: The research experiences for undergraduates (REU) program - important role of mentoring
The research experiences for undergraduates (REU) programGreg M. Swain, hailing from the Department of Chemistry at Michigan State University, examines cross-disciplinary training in sustainable chemistry and chemical processes, including the critical role of mentoring and finding research experiences for undergraduates. Sustainability is the practice of reducing the environmental impacts of human existence and conserving natural resources for future generations. Green chemistry is a part of the sustainability approach that encourages manufacturing processes and the design of products that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances. Stated another way, sustainable chemistry and chemical processes should use resources, including energy and raw materials, “at a rate at which they can be replaced naturally, and the generation” of waste cannot be faster than the rate of their remediation, as Horváth IT points out. (1)  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2150173
PAR ID:
10475873
Author(s) / Creator(s):
Publisher / Repository:
Open Access Government
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Open Access Government
Volume:
40
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2516-3817
Page Range / eLocation ID:
378 to 379
Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
REU Site, role of mentoring
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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  1. (, Open Access Government)
    Independent research experiences in sustainable chemistryThe Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) programme in the Department of Chemistry at Michigan State University was created to inform students majoring in chemistry, biochemistry and chemical engineering about key societal sustainability challenges and to provide graduate-level independent research experiences that address aspects of these challenges. The REU programme exposes students to how sustainable practices are impacting research and technology development in chemistry and chemical engineering. The 10-week summer programme introduces students, many of whom are engaging in graduate-level research for the first time, to the multiple steps in the research process: (i) formulate research questions and a hypothesis, (ii) create a research design, (iii) execute an experimental plan, (iv) data analysis and interpretation, and (v) report out on the findings and their significance. 
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  2. (, Chemistry – A European Journal)
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