One of the most significant opportunities afforded to young scientists as an undergraduate student is the experience of hands-on research and creative exploration.
Undergraduate research has significant influence on students in the sciences, specifically supplying them with practical training, better opportunities to network within their field, and a boost to their academic confidence. Advancing these opportunities, Professor Mikel Holcomb in the WVU Department of Physics and Astronomy has been awarded $400,000 from the National Science Foundation to expand on undergraduate research programming at WVU. The program is titled “The Magnetic Analysis and Measurement Project."
Haley Searcy of Cincinnati, OH was among the students who assisted with the pilot
of the program. Searcy –
a junior in Multidisciplinary Studies with minors in Biology, Law and Legal Studies,
and Statistics – learned about the pilot through participation in the
WVU Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) as a sophomore.
“The magnetism class made research feel less scary and more accessible. I not only learned more about physics and magnetism, but I also learned about creating good research questions, collaborating with other scientists, and troubleshooting when things go wrong.” Haley Searcy