A Model for Partnering with Interns That Enhances and Expands Ongoing Research Programs

Research projects are limited to what can be accomplished within the constraints of budget and time. During most studies ancillary questions inevitably arise that are outside these constraints, even though their answers may clarify project results. Today’s undergraduates are often qualified to pursue these sorts of questions when given appropriate guidance. These students are anxious for hands on opportunities and are often thrilled to have the chance to be a member of a research team.  We have harnessed this desire and directed students in short-term research projects that have generated new ideas, given us new tools and provided greater detail for ongoing analyses. In this presentation we describe our experience partnering with interns and describe how our research has been enhanced through these partnerships. First, we describe how we have used interns to explore ideas or datasets that could not be adequately examined under our existing work load. Second, we describe how we have used interns to develop new tools for conducting research. Finally, we show both of these modes can be combined with multiple interns so they can function as a research team.  The key to our success is that while the interns are treated as full-fledged members of our research group we are mindful that we are their mentors. Many outreach programs have uncertain outcomes and therefore busy scientists are often reluctant to participate. The outreach model we describe offers scientists a demonstrable benefit while at the same time stimulating the next generation of scientists.