{"560521":{"#nid":"560521","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Undergraduate Research and Student Innovation: The Skills to Shape Our World","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChristopher Reaves, Ph.D.\u003Cbr \/\u003E Director, Undergraduate Research and Student Innovation\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAllyson Tant \u003Cbr \/\u003E Program Coordinator, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your student is ready for a challenge, likes working beyond the traditional boundaries of coursework, and wants to participate in something \u201chands-on,\u201d then undergraduate research is a must. Georgia Tech is a leading research university and provides extraordinary opportunities for students to enter the exciting world of discovery and innovation. In Georgia Tech\u2019s strategic plan, President G. P. \u201cBud\u201d Peterson states, \u201cOur role is not only to solve problems, but to shape our world.\u201d Undergraduate research at Georgia Tech helps students acquire this experience, helping them create their own path and set them apart from others.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpportunities for research experience are available year-round, either for course credit or for pay. Research classes for credit count toward free electives in most majors and discipline-specific electives in others. Faculty mentors may hire students as research assistants, or students may receive funding through the President\u2019s Undergraduate Research Award (PURA) \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/urop.gatech.edu\/pura\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/urop.gatech.edu\/pura\u003C\/a\u003E. Options for research also include full-time summer experiences, both on- and off-campus, and international research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile open to all students, students planning to pursue graduate degrees or a future career in research and development industries should consider a more robust research experience: the Research Option \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/urop.gatech.edu\/research-option\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/urop.gatech.edu\/research-option\u003C\/a\u003E. This thesis-based program provides an opportunity to get first-hand experience in substantive research, culminating in the production of a thesis paper. It is an excellent way to gain valuable skills and experience into applied or basic research, thus bolstering their graduate school preparation. In addition, many scientific and technical firms favor graduates possessing these practical skills.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo take the student research initiative even further, the Institute has placed an increasing emphasis on students thinking and acting innovatively, hence the creation of the InVenture Prize Competition \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.inventureprize.gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/www.inventureprize.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E. Starting with the student\u2019s own idea, faculty mentors help lead students through a process that culminates in a final, on-stage competition which is broadcast live on public television. From idea to innovation, concept to prototype, problem to solution, the InVenture Prize Competition helps develop individuals who not only have the technical know-how, but also are entrepreneurially savvy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents can also attend Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) workshops, participate in the annual Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium, and learn how to find funding for research. Advising is also available for students as they look for research opportunities. Students of all years (freshman through senior) can also participate in student research or innovation organizations \u2013 the Student Advisory Board for Undergraduate Research (SABUR), \u003Cem\u003EThe Tower \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/gttower.org\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003Ehttp:\/\/gttower.org\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u2019s undergraduate research journal, or the Startup Exchange \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/startupexchange.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ehttp:\/\/startupexchange.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E, a hub for entrepreneurship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor additional information, visit the UROP website at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.urop.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ewww.urop.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E. Student may also follow us on Facebook or contact us at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:urop@gatech.edu\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Europ@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"If your student is ready for a challenge, likes working beyond the traditional boundaries of coursework, and wants to participate in something \u201chands-on,\u201d then undergraduate research is a must."}],"uid":"27244","created_gmt":"2016-08-09 09:24:29","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:22:16","author":"Sara Warner","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2016-08-09T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2016-08-09T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"1298","name":"Parent and Family Programs"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["parents@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}