By Steve Yingling

What college student wouldn’t value the chance to receive compensation while learning?

Students at Western Nevada College and other Nevada System of Higher Education schools are eligible to apply for just such a scholarship opportunity for the coming summer, through a project of the Nevada System of Higher Education and the National Science Foundation.

NSHE has announced a summer program to promote paid undergraduate research at community and state colleges. Students are being recruited to participate in the NSF’s experimental program to Stimulate Competitive Research for Climate Change Research (EPSCoR). Selected students work with a mentor to develop a research project. For their work, students receive a $4,500 scholarship from the NSF.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity and it’s unique in that is open to students at WNC,” said Mike Sady, a WNC professor emeritus of chemistry and an adviser for the NHSE-NSF research project.

Students with at least 20 credit hours and who are studying science, technology, engineering or math-related subjects are encouraged to apply. The grant is focused on fields associated with solar energy, water and/or environmental research, including biology, civil and environmental engineering, climatology, computer science, ecology, education, environmental studies, geography, hydrology, journalism, natural resources and political science are especially encouraged to participate.

“The students will have a sense of the research experience as a team player,” Sady said. “Science is constantly changing, through exciting fields from particle physics to answering questions about our changing climate. Both are topics that look toward the future.”

The deadline to apply is March 7. As part of the application process, interested students are required to submit a research proposal. Learn about the expectations for the proposal and other details, go to http://epscorspo.nevada.edu.

Elana Ketchian, who is pursuing an Associate of Science degree at WNC, participated in the project last summer at the University of Nevada, Reno. She evaluated the utility of pressure transducers at wildlife water developments.

“The fellowship has given me confidence in learning new material and it has inspired me to become more involved in projects with a mentor, where I can actively participate in a field of study of my interest,” Ketchian said after completing her research.

For additional information about the research scholarship, contact Michele Casella at 702-522-7076 or Michele_casella@nshe.nevada.edu.