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First Year Research Experience - FYRE

First Year Research Experience (FYRE) is a program intended to provide First Year students with opportunities to engage in research and to establish early contact with faculty mentors. In order to accommodate multiple disciplines and to provide flexibility for students, four tracks are available. All options require students to additionally engage in common seminar/workshop experiences, and participate in the Annual Undergraduate Research Forum sponsored by the Office for the Advancement of Research (OARS).

Why Students Should get Involved

• Gain support through establishing social mentoring relationships. 
• Engage in faculty research early in your academic career. 
• Experience the practice of research through workshops, seminars and activities
• Enhance Your communication and presentation skills.
• Be a part of a community of student/researchers/scholars during your first year.
• Participate in other research activities throughout your undergraduate career.

Research Options

(1) FYRE URO (research intensive, all disciplines) (Student employment stipend provided) This option matches students with a faculty sponsor from any discipline to work on a research project submitted by the faculty.  This experience allows a student to gain research experience assisting a faculty member with his/her research.  Students are expected to work with a faculty sponsor for 6‐8 hours a week. In addition, they will attend weekly/bi‐weekly training workshops. This is a year‐long commitment. Interested students should contact dixonlj@muohio.edu for more information.

(2) FYRE STEM This option allows students to participate in an ongoing research project: Awards range from $100‐$200, and will be disbursed to the faculty sponsor. Faculty from Science, Technology, Engineering and Math departments will serve as faculty hosts/sponsors. Students in STEM majors interested in this option should apply following the steps below.

(3) FYRE RESEARCH SHADOWING This option allows students to experience the research environment without fully participating in an ongoing project. Awards range from $100‐$200, and will be disbursed to the faculty sponsor.

(4) FYRE TEAM RESEARCH This option allows teams of students to conduct a research project during the academic year. Awards range from $500‐$1,000).  Maximum number of students per team is 6; at least 2 members must be freshmen.

Student Application Process and Timeline

• Timeline:
  Obtain information about faculty research projects (August 24- September 11)
  www.muohio.edu/oars/undergrad_research
  Visit departments
  Attend Informational Fair on Tuesday September 8 (Shriver MPC)
  Interview at least two faculty members of their choosing and briefly summarize the reasons for choosing the lab (e.g. interest in the topic, relevance to career aspirations etc). Each description should be 100-150 words.  Team research groups will develop a one page proposal including goals, background and significance, project design, and expected outcomes for a single project. 
  Submit Completed Proposal/Application by Monday September 21 to the Office for the Advancement of Research and Scholarship, 102 Roudebush.
• Team Research Groups will develop a one page proposal including, goals, background and significance, project design, and expected outcomes for a single project. The responsibilities of each team member should be clearly stated.
• Agree to terms of the award guidelines