Pivoting an REU to a Summer Research Preparation and Professional Development Program during a Pandemic

In the Summer of 2020, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we made a rapid pivot for our Physics and Materials NSF funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) from an in-person 10-week research experience to a 2-part fully online program. In one-part, senior undergraduate students participated in an online computational research project with supplementary research oriented professional development activities. In the second online program, students, who were not engaged with online research, participated in a three-part research preparation and professional development program that focused on STEM career preparation, outreach and engagement, and scientific communication skills. The online research prep and professional development program was tailored for undergraduate and master’s students from diverse backgrounds, institutions, and disciplines. Here we present details of the structure and content of the program, and some preliminary evaluation and feedback from participants.