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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.
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Ames, Iowa 50011, (515) 294-4111
Published by: University Relations,
online@iastate.edu
Copyright © 1995-2001, Iowa State University. All rights reserved.
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