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This page describes how the Freshman Research Initiative works as a model for effective science education. (If you are a student wondering how applying for FRI works, check out our Students section.)

At most research universities, scientific research and teaching happen independently of one another. In research, primary investigators may work with post-doctoral researchers, graduate research assistants and undergraduate research assistants in their labs. And separately, professors may work with graduate student teaching assistants and undergraduate students in teaching labs.

FRI_How_It_Works

In FRI, the lab and classroom are seamlessly integrated.

The Principal Investigator (PI)

Professors or Principal Investigators (PIs) shape each unique Research Stream according to their own research needs and interests. This flexibility is integral to the FRI program and parallels the wide range of organizational styles seen in traditional research labs. PIs also oversee the research goals on a broad scale and have partial responsibility for conducting classes.

The Research Educator (RE)

PIs delegate varying amounts of responsibility to Research Educators (REs).

REs are PhD faculty scientists who are in charge of the day-to-day operations of stream laboratory teaching and research, and also have a high degree of autonomy regarding what research questions to address. The RE arranges and maintains the lab to serve the team of 35+ undergraduate students that will work there and develops a curriculum designed to ease students into independent work as quickly and effectively as possible.

This makes the FRI a hotbed for innovation in research and teaching.

REs spend much of their time working closely with undergraduates in the lab, helping them with presentations of data, as well as offering guidance for future opportunities after the end of the FRI experience.

Finally, each RE is responsible for a part of the FRI program and given meaningful independence to pursue this work as they think will best serve the FRI program.

Undergraduate Peer Mentors

Once students have completed the FRI course sequence in a research stream, they are eligible to move into the role of Peer Mentor. Peer mentors help guide the next cohort of FRI students as they learn the techniques and background needed to start their own independent projects. They can also continue to engage in stream research and provide feedback to students on their assignments.

Undergraduate Students

Typically, 35+ undergraduate students are enrolled in a full research stream. The FRI experience lasts for 2+ semesters, where students can earn course credit while working closely with the peer mentors, the RE, and sometimes the PI, toward authentic stream research goals.

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