Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

INSIDE IOWA STATE
March 15, 2002

Faculty Forum highlights teachers who use undergrad researchers

by Linda Charles
Being on a research team used to be an activity reserved for graduate students, but not anymore. Undergraduate students at Iowa State are becoming active members of faculty research teams.

The Center for Teaching Excellence's March Faculty Forum will highlight four teachers who have been recognized by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences as "master" teachers because of their efforts with undergraduate researchers.

Paul Canfield, professor of physics and astronomy; Jeffrey Prater, professor of music; Valerie Sheares, assistant professor of chemistry; and David Wallace, associate professor of English, will discuss how they involve undergraduate students in research, the impact that involvement has on students, and why they will continue to include undergraduates in their research projects.

Both Wallace and Prater said the amount of involvement differs from student to student.

Wallace said some of the students become "complete" partners, working on a project from the initial case study design through to publication. Other students' participation is more limited.

Wallace said he "collaborates with every student I teach. Involving them in research is a natural by-product of what goes on in the classroom. I form an intellectual partnership with all my students, and some of those blossom into a research relationship."

Prater noted that without undergraduate students, he wouldn't be able to continue his work. The music department doesn't have a graduate program, he said, "so, to have any assistance, I need to connect with talented, undergraduate students. And, they've never let me down. It has been a strong experience."

Prater's students have been involved in everything from library and technical research to developing academic courses. They have helped him prepare books for publication and some even have helped present papers at conferences.

The undergraduate students are enthusiastic and work hard, Prater said. One student spent a holiday vacation working at Prater's house from 9 a.m. to midnight to lay out pages for a book.

The Faculty Forum will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. Participants are encouraged to pack a lunch or buy one in the Union food court. Beverages and dessert are provided. Registration is requested by Friday, March 22; contact the CTE, 4-2906, e-mail:cte@iastate.edu.