This summer the University of Central Florida is hosting the fourth year of their National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site “Preparing the Next Generation of Scholars through Community GIS and Citizen Science.” This program offers fully funded summer research experiences for undergraduate students in Belize and Orlando for 7 weeks.  The program is open to all U.S. students and runs June 3 – July 18, 2019.  

The program is interdisciplinary in nature emphasizing community GIS, citizen science, drones and spatial storytelling through mixed methods.

UCF is hosting a Facebook Live Event "Secrets to an Awesome Citizen Science GIS REU Application" on Tuesday, March 12 @ 2 pm EST. Join Dr. Hawthorne (REU PI) and Dr. Hannah Torres (REU Faculty Mentor) as they give away the secrets to a successful application to this National Science Foundation (NSF) #REU Site in Orlando and Belize. Students can join the discussion at https://www.facebook.com/citizensciencegis

This year’s research direction is focused onmapping coastal and island resiliency with drones and spatial storytelling.Students will work with community partners and mentors from University of Central Florida, University of Belize, The Hopkins Belize Village Council, and The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystems Program.

Compensation: Each REU student will receive a competitive funding package, including a $3500 research stipend, a meal allowance, free shared housing in Belize and Orlando, up to $750 in travel support to/from the REU Site, up to $750 for post-REU conference travel, and 2 research methods books.

Application process: The priority application deadline is Friday, March 15th @ 5 PM EST.  Complete program information and application instructions can be found at http://www.citizensciencegis.org/projects/reu-belize-2018.

Questions can be directed to: Dr. Timothy Hawthorne: Principal Investigator, Assistant Professor of Geographic Information Systems at University of Central Florida (timothy.hawthorne@ucf.edu)