Chemical Education Today www.JCE.DivCHED.org • Vol. 82 No. 9 September 2005 • Journal of Chemical Education 1279 Association Report: CUR Communicating the Importance of Undergraduate Research to Legislators by Kerry Karukstis Posters on the Hill The Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) strongly believes that it is the responsibility of the scientific community to ensure that legislators in the United States Congress have a clear understanding of the science and sci- ence education programs they fund and why these programs are important. In particular, continued support for under- graduate research requires that members of Congress appre- ciate the value of undergraduate research programs. In CUR’s view, nothing more effectively demonstrates the impact of undergraduate research than the words and stories of the stu- dent participants themselves. To communicate to Congress the importance of under- graduate research and to express thanks for the federal fund- ing of undergraduate research programs, the CUR has hosted an annual undergraduate research poster session on Capitol Hill since 1997 (1). This “Posters on the Hill” event was held re- cently in the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday, April 19, 2005 with 83 undergraduate students from 31 states and 56 institutions presenting the results of their independent re- search in science, engineering, and mathematics. The students were selected from several hundred applicants on the basis of their research accomplishments . They received financial sup- port from their home institutions to attend the event. Many faculty research mentors accompanied the undergraduates, fur- ther emphasizing the collaborative nature of undergraduate re- search. Representatives, senators, and their staff were invited to attend the poster session and reception to learn more about the research investigations conducted by undergraduates. Rep- resentatives from the federal agencies supporting the research (including the National Science Foundation, the National In- stitutes of Health, the Department of Energy, the Center for Disease Control, the National Aeronautics and Space Admin- istration, the Army Research Laboratory, and the Office of Na- val Research) were also invited to see the results of their support. Congressional Office Visits Communicate Our Message CUR encouraged students and their faculty mentors to make arrangements for individual congressional visits prior to the poster session. Ridg Mills, Junior Legislative Aide from the Office of Congressman and Democratic Whip Steny Honer (5th Congressional District of Maryland), provided participants with personal advice to increase the effectiveness of these of- fice visits. CUR prepared students and faculty with several stra- tegic talking points to emphasize the seamless connection between research and education and the profound impact that federal investment in science, mathematics, and engineering has on local communities all across America. In particular, students emphasized how their undergraduate research experiences helped them “learn science by doing science” and how such hands-on learning enables their non-scientist friends to un- derstand the scientific and social issues of the future. Faculty stressed their role as public communicators of science and tech- nology and how research-active faculty members teach with freshness and vigor as well as with more current knowledge. Each senator and representative received a copy of a letter pre- pared by CUR that summarized these points and urged con- tinued support for the many programs of federal agencies that focus on undergraduate research. Legislators were also asked to support the expansion of research opportunities for undergradu- ates and their faculty mentors at national laboratories as a means of regenerating the creative workforce for these agencies. State Events The success of the annual Posters on the Hill event has encouraged faculty from primarily undergraduate institutions to organize similar state capitol poster sessions. Recognizing that many state senators and representatives continue their careers at the national level, a poster session at the state level can be viewed as an investment opportunity to educate local leaders about the value of undergraduate research. Some institutions, such as Truman State University in Missouri, have conducted a state capitol poster session showcasing undergraduate students representing many disciplines from their institution alone (2). Others have organized a multi-institution event, including Congressman Steven Rothman, representing New Jersey’s 9th Dis- trict, visits with his constituent Janine Domingues (center) and her faculty research mentor Carolyn Barry (right). Janine attends Loyola College in Maryland. Rothman is a member of the House Appro- priations Committee overseeing the allocation of funds in the fed- eral government and also serves in the House leadership as As- sistant Democratic Whip. Photo: Michael Castellani, Department of Chemistr y, Marshall University . edited by Kerry Karukstis Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CA 91711