Undergraduate research participation in the experimental aerodynamics group

Abstract

In the 1980s, the idea of faculty spending time to guide undergraduates in research projects was still considered to be rather risky in the traditions of the tenure track. This paper discusses the crucial role played by undergraduates in the research programs of the Experimental Aerodynamics Group at the School of Aerospace Engineering. Since 1985, roughly 90 students have participated in our program. About 50% have worked with us for more than a year, and a large majority have gone on to graduate school. Current participation averages 10 students at any given time. This paper summarizes experience in this program. Various ways in which undergraduates participate are summarized in the following categories: Research team members, Special Problems courses, Team projects / competitions, undergraduate research internships, and summer internships, as well as experience with high school students on summer assignment. General policies, evaluation criteria, programs metrics and lessons learned are summarized. The importance of recognizing individual preferences and talents is indicated, as well as the challenges and rewards of conducting programs with a broad range of participant interests. It is emphatically true that undergraduate participation is an absolutely vital "raison d'etre" of this university research group.