One facet of the IRIS Education and Outreach Program is the development and coordination of Summer research internships for undergraduate students. The goal of these internships is to provide students with hands-on work experience in seismological research and to build students´ interest in seismology, whether they choose graduate school and research or move into another career path. Benefits to IRIS members who sponsor interns include access to talented undergraduates from other institutions not only for Summer research, but also as potential graduate students.
The Education and Outreach Committee is developing two modes of linking up undergraduates to research opportunities at IRIS member institutions: a web-based research job bank, and an internship program that will place undergraduates with PASSCAL experiments or other seismological research projects in the Summer of 1998.
Undergraduate Job Bank. Are you looking for undergraduates to participate in your research? Consider listing your project in the Undergraduate Job Bank on the Education and Outreach Program webpage. Researchers interested in posting research opportunities (either paid or volunteer positions) will soon be able to submit project descriptions online. Students will be able to browse Job Bank listings and submit inquiries directly to the project contact person. The Education and Outreach Program webpage is now under development, but soon will be accessible through the IRIS webpage (www.iris.washington.edu/EandO/).
Education and Outreach / PASSCAL Undergraduate Summer Internship Program. Are you interested in having an undergraduate work with you on research for 5 - 8 weeks this Summer? If so, consider sponsoring an undergraduate through the Summer Internship Program. The goal of this program is to help principal investigators at IRIS member institutions involve undergraduate students in their research. Research projects may involve any aspect of seismology and may be based in the field or at the PI´s home institution, although preference will be given to projects that involve students in PASSCAL experiments. Undergraduate interns will be employed by the PI´s home institution, and the PI will be responsible for their activities. However, the Education and Outreach Program will provide the PI´s institution with funds for student stipend ($280/week for 5 - 8 weeks) and for travel expenses while in the field (up to $600). The Education and Outreach Program will solicit and screen applications from interested undergraduates, but participating PI´s will make the final selection among applicants. Three undergraduates will be funded in the Summer of 1998. If more than three PI´s are interested in sponsoring undergraduate interns, three projects will be chosen based on their educational merit. Student applications and letters of interest from PASSCAL PI´s should be submitted to IRIS Headquarters by March 1. Please see the Education and Outreach webpage for a more detailed description of the program and application procedures.