{"226611":{"#nid":"226611","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Undergraduate Research and Student Innovation: The Skills to Shape Our World","body":[{"value":"\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 and at the same time create their own path and set themselves apart from others.\u003Cbr \/\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 \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.urop.gatech.edu\/presidents-undergraduate-research-awards-pura\u0022\u003EPresident\u2019s Undergraduate Research Award\u003C\/a\u003E (PURA). Options for research also include full-time summer experiences both on- and off-campus and international research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile research opportunities are open to all students, students who plan to pursue graduate degrees or a career in research and development industries should consider a more robust experience via the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.urop.gatech.edu\/research-option\u0022\u003EResearch Option\u003C\/a\u003E. This thesis-based program offers first-hand experience in substantive research, culminating in the production of a thesis paper. It is an excellent way for students to gain valuable skills and experience in applied or basic research, thus bolstering their graduate school preparation. Plus, 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 increased emphasis on students thinking and acting innovatively, hence the creation of the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.inventureprize.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EInVenture Prize\u003C\/a\u003E competition. 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 technical know-how, but also are entrepreneurially savvy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStudents can attend Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) workshops, participate in the annual spring research 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) \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.sabur.gtorg.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ewww.sabur.gtorg.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E; \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/gttower.org\u0022\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe Tower\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u2019s undergraduate research journal; or the \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/startupexchange.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EStartup Exchange\u003C\/a\u003E, a hub for entrepreneurship.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor additional information, visit \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu\u0022\u003Ewww.undergradresearch.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E. Students may also follow us on Facebook or contact us at \u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:urop@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Europ@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":"","uid":"27164","created_gmt":"2013-08-05 13:19:33","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:14:38","author":"Rachael Pocklington","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2013-08-05T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2013-08-05T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"related_links":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.urop.gatech.edu\/presidents-undergraduate-research-awards-pura","title":"President\u0027s Undergraduate Research Award"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.urop.gatech.edu\/research-option","title":"Research Option"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.inventureprize.gatech.edu\/","title":"Inventure"},{"url":"http:\/\/www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu\/","title":"Undergraduate Research at Georgia Tech"}],"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":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EChristopher Reaves, Ph.D.\u003Cbr \/\u003EDirector, Undergraduate Research and Student Innovation\u003Cbr \/\u003EUndergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:chris.reaves@gatech.edu\u0022\u003Echris.reaves@gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["parents@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}