Downoad MRS F13 PREM Program Purpose and Goals
Partnership for Research and Education in Materials (PREM) Event
at MRS 2013 Fall Meeting, Boston, MA, December 1-6, 2013
MRS F13 PREM Undergraduate Student Program presented by MRS Diversity SC
The mission of this program is to develop a diverse community of graduate students who are engaged in materials research and will have the knowledge and skills to become leaders and innovators.
Our mission is based on the assertion that diverse talent can be developed through effective mentoring, preparation, and network building through positive involvement in organizations that promote materials research such as MRS.
In this program we propose to invite a cohort of PREM undergraduate scholars who will engage their peers, materials researchers—from graduate students to PhD-level scientists and engineers—and other stakeholders in the materials research community at the 2013 Fall Meeting of the Materials Research Society. The program will provide professional and leadership development, and networking opportunities for the students from the PREM attending the program. They will be able to present their research in a special poster session. In addition, they will be invited to join the MRS Mentoring Program. The program will also highlight the importance of excellence, integrity, and service in the interest of society as guiding principles in science and engineering careers.
The program will include:
- Poster design Workshop specifically for undergraduate students delivered by Tim Miller, followed by a poster critique and prizes the following day
- A motivational talk by a prominent underrepresented minority scientist
- Interactive activities that will promote direct one-on-one engagement between the PREM scholar and senior scientists in attendance at the Meeting
- PREM students will also be encouraged to attend existing technical and professional development sessions, the Career Center, the Public Outreach Center, and the Materials Voice Booth at the MRS Meeting
Program goals:
- To bring PREM students to the MRS Fall and Spring Meetings with a special session for presentations of their undergraduate research through a poster
- To present prizes in recognition of the most outstanding undergraduate research among the PREM groups
- To connect PREM students to graduate students participating in the MRS Graduate Student Mentoring Program via a mentoring relationship (extension of the existing program)
- To nurture a peer network of diverse, undergraduate materials researchers
- To engage PREM students in the wide range of activities and events that are hallmarks of MRS meetings
AGENDA
Sunday, December 1
9:00 am Welcome breakfast, program overview
This session will be the kick-off event to welcome participants and give them an overview of the schedule of events. PREM students and their PI’s will be invited along with all program sponsors, Diversity SC, and MRS leadership.
10:00 am Poster Design Workshop - Tim Miller
This purpose of this session is to give the PREM undergraduate students suggestions and strategies for creating better technical posters. Students will come to the meeting prepared with an electronic version of a poster in their technical area. During the workshop, students will employ strategies learned in order to make improvements to their posters. Then posters will be sent to a local printer for production by the next day when they will be displayed and critiqued. Awards will be given for top three posters.
12:00 pm PREM Lunch with Leaders and Keynote Speaker
This lunch is designed to give undergraduate PREM students an opportunity to network with prominent scientists in an informal and welcoming setting. Senior-level scientists will be invited to attend and share their life and career experiences with PREM students as well as hear about the students’ aspirations. The lunch will close with an inspirational keynote address from Christine Oritz, Dean for Graduate Education , MIT.
Monday, December 2
8:30 am Visits to Harvard and MIT
PREM undergraduate students will visit local university campuses for a tour to learn about their graduate education programs.
12:00 pm Mentoring Lunch
The purpose of this lunch is to introduce undergraduate PREM students to the MRS mentoring program and to facilitate in-person interaction between existing mentoring program participants. This will be a networking lunch with table discussions about why mentoring is important and how to get the most out of a mentoring relationship. Students will be provided with information on how to apply.
3:00 pm Poster critique
After attending the Sunday poster design workshop, the PREM students will have the opportunity to show what they learned by presenting their newly improved posters for judging. (Private judging session runs until 4:30 pm)
4:30 pm Networking reception and poster prizes
Awards will be presented for the top three posters during this private networking reception. Attendees will include PREM students, PI’s, judges, PREM program sponsors, graduate student mentors, and MRS volunteer leaders.
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In additional to the above program designed specifically for PREM undergraduate students, the PREM students will be invited to attend the following virtual sessions, which have been created by University Chapter students and delivered in person at F13 as well as by live-stream. University Chapters and PREM students will also be encouraged to gather at their home universities to participate in these sessions as a group.
Monday, December 2
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Career Paths in Materials Science
This program was created with students in mind! Are you pursuing a degree in materials science but not yet exactly sure about your future career path? Tenured professor, laboratory researcher, industrial engineer, advocate, journalist – so many choices! Volunteers from MRS University Chapters have pulled together a diverse panel of scientists who will share their insight about the role of Materials Science and Engineering in their businesses and address existing career opportunities at various degree levels. Panelists will participate both live and by 2-way virtual streaming. Students from around the world will be able to view the session online and submit questions to the panel.
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Exploration of the Impact of Materials on Society
In this session students will gather to investigate a current or future technology and the possible impact upon society. Following a brief presentation, on-site and virtual participants will examine challenges and solutions from a variety of perspectives. Virtual participants may submit questions for real-time response.
PREM students are encouraged to visit the Career Center, Public Outreach Center, Materials Voice desk, existing professional development sessions, technical symposia, Kavli lecture, plenary session, and other activities that already occur at the MRS Meetings throughout the week. They will be included on invitations to the President’s reception on Sunday evening and the graduate Student Mixer on Monday evening as well.