Undergraduate Research Center

The Undergraduate Research Center offers a fully-funded 8-week summer REU program from May 31 – July 25, where undergraduates will learn important research skills and conduct studies about STEM education.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents at least 18 years of age who will still be classified as undergraduates in the Fall 2026 semester.
• Applicants should either be majoring in a STEM field or enrolled in a STEM teacher preparation program and have a current GPA of 3.0 or higher with at least one semester complete at the undergraduate level not including dual enrollment courses.

Funding

Participating undergraduate researchers will receive a total stipend of $6,300, with $5,600 paid in two monthly installments and the remaining $700 after attending the Southeastern STEM Education Research Conference (SSERC). All travel to and from MTSU, on-campus housing, and a $120/week meal allowance will be covered during the 8-week summer session.

Application Materials

The NSF Education and Training Application (ETAP) will be used for application submission. Applicants will need to complete the ETAP registration form and provide:

• Top three project choices
• A current transcript (can be unofficial)
• Personal statement (no more than one page, single-spaced, Times New Roman, 11 or 12 point font)

Selection Process

All applications completed by February 2, 2026, will be given full consideration. Starting on February 3, applicants who meet the criteria will be contacted to set up a 30-minute Zoom interview with the faculty mentors of the 3 projects selected on the application form. Up to 10 applicants will be selected to participate in the summer 2026 session, with up to 5 alternates.

Projects

1. From Weed-Out to Reach-Out: Advancing the Culture of Teaching in STEM (ACT-STEM)

Mentor: Dr. Sarah Bleiler-Baxter Other Senior Personnel: Dr. Grant Gardner, Dr. Gregory Rushton This project focuses on transforming the teaching culture of STEM departments to better support all students. Students will investigate aspects of the TRIOS framework and gain hands-on experience with educational research and project management.

2. Mathematics Teacher Education Partnership: Using Improvement Science to Support Teacher Preparation Program Transformation

Mentor: Dr. Alyson Lischka This project analyzes data from a national Networked Improvement Community (NIC) focused on supporting transformation in secondary mathematics teacher preparation programs. Students will develop knowledge about improvement science and learn qualitative research methods.

3. Let's talk about it: exploring undergraduate biology students' conversations about climate change, vaccines, and evolution

Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Barnes Other Senior Personnel: Dr. Sumaiya Tabassum This project aims to analyze conversations that undergraduate biology students have about contentious science topics and identify areas where students need development in their communication skills.

4. Integrated Data Project

Mentor: Dr. Ryan "Seth" Jones This project designs and conducts research on learning environments that coordinate data investigations across classes and disciplines in middle schools. Students will work closely with the research team to analyze data and develop ideas for new investigations.

5. Leaders in Education Advancing Data Science

Mentor: Dr. Greg Rushton Other Senior Personnel: Dr. Ryan "Seth" Jones, Dr. Keith Gamble, and Dr. Kevin Krahenbuhl This project prepares and supports middle grade STEM teachers as they grow into leadership roles in their schools and districts. Students will contribute to ongoing studies on teacher readiness, professional identity, and instructional practices in data science.

6. Preparation and Support of Newcomers to Education Research

Mentor: Dr. Grant Gardner Other Senior Personnel: Dr. Jennifer Kaplan, Dr. Sarah Bleiler-Baxter, Dr. Liz Barnes, Dr. Gregory Rushton, and Dr. Alyssa Freeman This project explores how postdoctoral fellows transition into education research while participating in a professional development program. Students will develop skills in qualitative research methods and communicate findings to diverse audiences.

7. Lost in the Lines: Scaffolding scientific figure interpretation

Mentor: Rebecca Seipelt-Thiemann This project aims to develop and test scaffolded templates to help students learn to interpret specific data visualizations. Students will work on identifying data visualization figure types, developing data visualization scaffolds, and testing them with students.

8. Science Lives in the Real World: Building case studies for today's students

Mentor: Rebecca Seipelt-Thiemann This project builds case studies to engage students with broad, interconnected scientific concepts in their true world context. Students will draft, polish, test, and assess case studies to ensure they aid student learning.

9. From Classmates to Community: How Learning Assistants Impact Student Success in Undergraduate Science

Mentor: Dr. Katy Hosbein This project explores the role of Learning Assistants (LAs) in building a sense of community and influencing students' confidence in science. Students will work with survey and interview data to uncover how these relationships impact both students and LAs.

10. Truth Tellers and Misbehaved Puppies: Examining Teachers' Pedagogical Tools for Teaching Graph Transformations

Mentor: Dr. Michael Hicks Other Senior Personnel: Dr. Holly Zolt This project seeks to answer the question: What pedagogical tools do instructors leverage to help them teach graph transformations? Students will analyze interviews with instructors, code the interviews, and develop an explanation for why the pedagogical tools are used.

Middle Tennessee State University

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Overview:

Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is a large university with a small-town feel, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It is known for its affordability, strong academic programs, and vibrant campus life. MTSU is a public university with a diverse student body, including a significant number of first-generation students.

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Services Offered:

MTSU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Financial Aid:

83% of students receive financial aid, with over $230 million in assistance available.

Campus Improvements:

The university has invested $1.5 billion in recent campus improvements and renovations.

Academic Support:

MTSU provides academic advising, tutoring, and other support services to help students succeed.

Student Life:

The university offers a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities to enhance the campus experience.

Career Services:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

MTSU boasts a vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community. Students can enjoy:

Large Campus with Small-Town Feel:

MTSU's 515-acre campus offers a scenic, park-like setting while maintaining a close-knit atmosphere.

Active Student Organizations:

Students can join over 200 student organizations and clubs, catering to diverse interests.

Athletics:

MTSU has 17 Division I sports teams, providing opportunities for both participation and spectator enjoyment.

Campus Events:

The university hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, lectures, and sporting events.

Student Union:

The Student Union serves as a central hub for students, offering dining, a bookstore, a game room, a theater, and more.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Affordability:

MTSU offers the lowest tuition among Tennessee's three largest universities, making it a highly affordable option.

Strong Academic Programs:

MTSU offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate majors and concentrations, including highly ranked programs in areas like Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Audio Engineering.

Diverse Student Body:

MTSU is home to a diverse student population, including a significant number of first-generation students.

Vibrant Campus Life:

The university offers a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities, fostering a strong sense of community.

Career Opportunities:

MTSU provides career counseling, job placement assistance, and internship opportunities to help students prepare for their future careers.

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Academic Programs:

MTSU offers a wide range of academic programs across eight colleges, including:

Arts and Sciences:

Offers majors in fields like biology, chemistry, English, history, and mathematics.

Business:

Offers majors in accounting, finance, marketing, and management.

Education:

Offers majors in elementary education, secondary education, and special education.

Engineering and Technology:

Offers majors in computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Fine Arts:

Offers majors in music, theater, and art.

Health and Human Sciences:

Offers majors in nursing, health sciences, and human development.

Liberal Arts:

Offers majors in communication, journalism, and political science.

University College:

Offers a variety of general studies programs and interdisciplinary majors.

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Other:

• MTSU is the number 1 producer of college graduates in the greater Nashville area.
• MTSU is home to the first public Honors College in Tennessee.
• MTSU has more than two dozen Fulbright scholars.
• MTSU students, alumni, faculty, and staff have won 47 Grammy Awards since 2001.
• MTSU is known for its flexible programs that emphasize real-world projects and soft skills development.