A new program in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences is enriching the summer research experience of undergraduate students through shared learning experiences aimed at preparing them for future success in research and beyond.
Known as the AgSci Launchpad, the program brings together undergraduate researchers in the college and visiting students participating in an undergraduate research experience through faculty projects under the Research Experience for Undergraduates, or REU, and Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates, or REEU, programs.
AgSci Launchpad is offered through the college's Office of Access and Equity.
The goal is to foster professional growth, graduate school and career readiness, and the intercultural competencies needed to thrive in an increasingly collaborative and diverse scientific community, according to Laura Leites, assistant dean for access and equity in the college.
"Science is increasingly collaborative, and the ability to work effectively across differences is just as important as technical expertise," she said. "By learning alongside peers from different institutions, backgrounds and experiences, students broaden their perspectives and leave better prepared as researchers, collaborators and future leaders."
The AgSci Launchpad consists of six three-hour sessions, each focusing on a different theme, including working across differences, career readiness, graduate school readiness, panel discussions and interdisciplinary interaction.
The inaugural program concluded July 15, with a social event and focus on goal setting for the fall semester.
"Our goal is to show students the broad array of opportunities available to them while learning to work and collaborate with each other," said Emma Steely, a graduate fellow in the Office of Access and Equity and a doctoral student in education, development and community engagement. "As we see research become more and more interdisciplinary, it's so important to know how to communicate and contribute to effective teams."
Steely co-led the program with Milton Newberry, director of student advocacy and access programs. He said one of the goals is to get students to think beyond technical expertise, especially when it comes to building strong careers.
"I really enjoyed watching the students grow over these past six weeks as they learned more about the impact of openness with others and collaboration on their research," Newberry said. "The students engaged in lively dialogue during the launchpad sessions discussing various topics, ranging from their own experiments and research ideas to future plans after college."
Nearly 30 students completed the program, which offered learning opportunities in classrooms, Penn State laboratories and at social events.
