Initiation of an Undergraduate Research Program at a Community College

Our two year college is home to the first (and only to date) MESA Center in Texas. MESA is a comprehensive academic support program that originated in California in 1970. MESA stands for math, engineering and science achievement, and the program is designed to help students excel in math, science, technology, and engineering courses and graduate with STEM-based degrees. The MESA Center is also home for several student organizations on our campus, including MAES, SACNAS, and SWE. Over the last two years we have partnered with a nearby university to direct a NASA sponsored undergraduate research program. The program (CIPAIR) provides opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in ongoing research projects off-campus, as well as to conduct new research projects on campus under the guidance and supervision of a faculty member. The MESA Center served as a focal point for promoting these opportunities and for dissemination of project results. The on-campus research projects were developed by student teams based on equipment and instrumentation that was available and/or obtained by loan or donation. Three teams worked independently on projects involving solar panel efficiency, hydroponics, and energy production by a rider on a stationary exercise bicycle. The projects concluded with team reports and presentations in the MESA center to an audience of students, staff, faculty, and NASA representatives. Undergraduate research programs at four-year institutions have been widely reported to increase retention, and our results indicate that two-year institutions can also initiate successful programs. This paper will present in detail the initiation of a summer undergraduate research program at our community college, offer recommendations, and outline future plans.