Program Overview
The GEI Twinning Program is a year-long research experience aimed at fostering participation of undergraduates from minoritized communities in subduction zone science and hazards research. Funding students to focus year-round on research differentiates our program from typical research internships and thus increases the likelihood of lasting student impact. Engagement in funded, mentored research experiences is directly tied to increased retention of underserved students in the STEM field. Because the program supports students year-round, students can focus on their research. The focus of this program is a “twinning” model where the student participates in a research project involving more than one institution. The student is thus introduced to different mentors and a mode of scientific collaboration that closely mimics real-world experiences. Through experiential learning, undergraduate students gain valuable, high-impact research experience and build their oral and written scientific communication skills.
Each student will have a well-defined project and two mentors, the Project Director and ‘Twin’ mentor. The Project Director will be the primary mentor to the student. The Twin mentor can be a known collaborator to the Project Director or simply someone from the student’s home institution willing to support the student throughout the program.
This year-long program provides students:
- An opportunity to improve their understanding of the earth through solving complex, real-world problems using multi-disciplinary approaches.
- The chance to deepen their understanding of the knowledge and skills needed by professionals in the earth sciences.
- Ample support from CRESCENT, their Twin mentors, and their cohort of student interns.
- A monthly stipend for 11 months of work (academic months: ~$1050; summer months: ~$2800).
- Travel funds to help cover travel, lodging an in-person visit with one or both mentors.
- Travel funds to attend a major scientific conference to present their research.
Program Outline
The program is designed to support students as they develop their research skills, build professional networks, and grow as future leaders in science. The program spans the full academic year and summer, with structured activities, mentoring, and professional development throughout.
Fall Onboarding
During the first month, students participate in weekly 1-hour onboarding sessions with the GEI Program Manager. This is in addition to meeting regularly with their research mentors. Weekly cohort meetings focus on foundational topics such as:
- Introduction to research and research expectations
- Communicating effectively with mentors
- How to find, read, and interpret scientific papers
Academic Year Activities
Students carry out independent research at their home institution, supported by two mentors: their Project Director and their Twin mentor. Students work part-time on their research, as they are students first and foremost. They meet regularly with both mentors to discuss research progress.
Summer Activities
Students transition to working full-time on their projects with continued support from their mentors. Students are able to travel to one or both of their mentors to continue their project for an in-person visit or to conduct fieldwork. Length of visit depends on project needs and costs.
Students also participate in a multi-week scientific writing workshop focused on developing their abstracts and Short Contributions.
At the end of the program, students present their research to family, friends, and the CRESCENT community at the virtual Twinning Symposium and submit a Short Contribution (project summary) for publication on CRESCENT’s website.