Science = active laboratory learning. However, many students of science do not get a chance to engage in the most 'true experience' of the active laboratory learning, the research process, until they have: 1--elected a STEM major AND 2--neared the end of their Bachelors' degree. For many students, that may well be why they neither fully comprehend the content material presented in STEM courses, nor elect to pursue further science courses at the collegiate level. Within our STEM Department, we have historically offered students ample opportunity for undergraduate research at not only the Junior/Senior level, but as early as Freshman/Sophomore level. Students are able to not only operate research-grade equipment and work one-on-one with a full-time faculty member, but their research is of a contemporary nature and typically reaches its culmination with oral or poster presentation at a college-wide, end-of-semester research symposium. These opportunities have enabled STEM-inclined students to explore the variety of STEM options available to them and sometimes even make vital changes to their chosen majors earlier than would have been possible without the research experience. Alumni who have engaged in this 'early' research experience have agreed that, not only are they more prepared for what lies ahead in graduate school, professional school and STEM careers but they have headed to the 'best fit' graduate school, professional school or STEM career for their skill set and direction of interest.

Too early to gather research experience?

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.