A novel long-term undergraduate research team experience

This paper describes the establishment and management of an undergraduate research team. The team includes representatives from each year of the undergraduate curriculum, and new members are recruited from the second-semester freshman class. Members agree to stay through their senior year. Students are paid for 10 h/wk as research assistants, except in their senior year, when each conducts an independent research project for course credit. Leadership is shared by graduate students who benefit from the research assistance provided. Weekly meetings provide a forum for research reports and topic sessions. Marked increases in student confidence and interest in independent learning have been reported and observed. Success has required careful shaping and guidance of graduate student expectations and leadership skills. Other benefits and lessons learned after the first full academic year cycle are described.