AgSci Launchpad broadens perspectives and pathways in ag sciences
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UNIVERSITY PARK -- 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.
Alena Kurtz, a biological engineering major, of West Grove, said she enjoyed getting to meet students from other universities and believes this experience will help her in graduate school.
"Being at Penn State and being from Pennsylvania, I only get to see a small circle of people doing research here," she said. "But getting to know what people from other universities are doing with their research and their experiences, it really helps open my eyes."
Lauren Mohan, of Downingtown, also is a biological engineering major and said the program encouraged her to pursue graduate education.
"My biggest takeaway is learning more about graduate school, because that's something I hadn't considered after graduation," she said. "This has made me realize that I'm very interested in graduate school and everything it has to offer."
For faculty leading REUs and REEUs, the program was particularly important.
"It not only reduced the organizational burden from individual programs but, more importantly, enriched our program and made it more impactful for our students, said Helene Hopfer, associate professor of food science. They built a wider and stronger network, learned from a more diverse cohort and thus had a more complete experience while here at Penn State."
Hopfer is the principal investigator of the program "Training of Future Professionals along the Human-Food Interface through Research and Experiential Learning for Undergraduate Students."
This eight-week summer program, offered by the departments of Food Science and Nutritional Sciences, provides students from undergraduate-focused institutions with opportunities to conduct independent research, explore career paths and develop professionally.
Darrell Cockburn, associate professor of food science, noted, "In preparing future REU proposals, I am fully incorporating the AgSci Launchpad into our proposed activities. It is a really nice way to add value to the program."
Faculty who would like to know more about future offerings should contact Leites at 814-865-4244 or lpl3@psu.edu; students should contact Newberry at 814-865-3215 or mgn105@psu.edu.