21st Century Workforce / Outreach

Current Opportunities (2006-2008)

Legislator in the Laboratory

This program places Idaho legislators and congressional staffers in university research laboratories for hands-on, research-oriented, visits in which state leaders are actively engaged in externally funded research projects. This EPSCoR activity promotes the importance of science and engineering in solving problems of state and national interest. Faculty research mentors and research opportunities for 2006 are listed at the program webpage.

Helping Orient Indian Students and Teachers (HOIST)

HOIST is an educational program initiated by Idaho EPSCoR to encourage Native American youth to complete high school and to pursue science and technology related post-secondary studies. Activities are currently coordinated through the University of Idaho Upward Bound program.

Completed Projects

Research Experiences for Undergraduates Undecided (REU²) about Pursuing Science

This pilot program provided capable university sophomores with meaningful research experiences as part of small teams lead by professors who are working on a common research project. Professors integrated an REU² student with the team for a total of 8 to 10 weeks during summer 2007. The program provided research training and education for students undecided or wavering in their pursuit of science degrees, with the expectation that such an experience will encourage them to persist.

Entrepreneurial Internships for Science and Engineering Students

This pilot program sought to integrate university students into the creative entrepreneurial culture of technology-related startup companies and small businesses. Our goals were to catalyze entrepreneurial innovation and inspire science and engineering students to become entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs at very small companies mentored students both in the application of their technical skills and in the entrepreneurial challenges of operating a small business and/or developing a new product.

Science Educator in Residence

Dr. Richard Hermens, a recipient of the Chemical Manufacturing Association Educator of the Year Award, established multiple residencies in rural Idaho school districts engaging K-6 teachers and their students in grade-appropriate science. More than 12,400 students participated in this program and the process of scientific inquiry during 2001-2004.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Assistance

This outreach program enabled more Idaho small businesses to win SBIR awards. We achieved this outcome by increasing awareness of funding opportunities and by providing the services of a nationally recognized consultant, Dr. Chris Busch, to assist small businesses with preparation of high quality proposals. Idaho's Office of Science & Technology is now coordinating statewide SBIR/STTR assistance for the State's small businesses. Please visit the Idaho SBIR Initiative Program website for more information.

Idaho Science Teachers as Researchers (ISTAR)

ISTAR was funded by EPSCoR to provide junior high and high school teachers an opportunity to work with scientists and engineers in state-of-the-art research and development. Research experiences for teachers are now routinely funded through the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust's Partners in Science Program and through RET supplements to a number of existing National Science Foundation grants. Teachers who are interested in summer research experiences are encouraged to contact Idaho EPSCoR for more information about current opportunities.