Summer research program builds student confidence

Whether it was creating biochar from organic waste, studying plastic pollution and invasive species in freshwater ecosystems or designing water piping networks, participants in the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience had their work cut out for them during the four-week program held earlier this summer.

Sponsored by Chevron, SURE gives students the opportunity to conduct hands-on research on real-world topics, working alongside faculty members from California State University, Bakersfield's School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering. This year, 72 students worked in 10 teams on projects ranging the scientific gamut.

"SURE is always a popular program," said Dr. Andrea Medina, director of grants and outreach for NSME. "Students get really excited about it every year. Not only are they learning about whatever topic their project covers, but they're also getting valuable problem-solving skills that will be impressive to future employers. And they are clearly having fun too, which makes it even better."

For the first time in its four years, SURE invited students from local high schools to apply for the program. Six students from Arvin High School and East Bakersfield High School participated in the program. The university already partners with the two high schools for a peer mentor program as part of a K-16 pathways collaborative.

"Something that is so special about CSUB is the access of research experience to undergraduate students," Dr. Medina said. "Opening SURE up to high schoolers lets us get them in a lab even sooner. We know how formative research experiences like these can be, so why not help light that spark of inspiration earlier?"

Chevron has sponsored SURE since its inception, originally planned for 2020 and pushed back to 2021 due to the pandemic. Before SURE, the company sponsored its predecessor, Revs Up, a similar research program aimed at teenagers. In total, Chevron has funded summer research programs at CSUB for 18 years.

"Thanks to Chevron's nearly two decades of support for our summer research programs, hundreds of students have had the chance to see science in action and the impact it can have on our world," Dr. Medina said. "After 18 years, most of these student researchers have gone on to earn their degrees and find work in the sciences, putting to use the very skills learned in these programs."

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