Enhancing Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) in the Atmospheric Sciences

Studies show that research experiences for undergraduates are key to the engagement of students in science, teach skills in critical thinking and communication, and help students to develop professional skills. However, REUs are time and resource intensive, and PIs work in relative isolation from each other to develop and maintain their internship programs. The benefits of having a community amongst REU leaders in the atmospheric sciences include sharing strategies applicable to the discipline, developing collaborative efforts, and providing support to each other. This paper will provide an update on recent efforts to further develop an REU network, including the organization of a national conference, an email listserv, workshops, and the creation of online resources for REU leaders. The goal is to strengthen the connections between REU community members, to provide tools for REU site managers, and to support the sharing of best practices in a changing REU landscape.