REU Site: Engineers for Exploration

Engineers for Exploration is an experiential program that enables undergraduates to conduct computer systems research that addresses technology gaps in scientific exploration. These undergraduates are provided with an impactful research project, supported by a multi-tiered mentor network and structured collaboration with researchers, scientists, and explorers. Research problems they get to work on are framed by real-world, high-impact applications, providing participants with an inspiring, multidisciplinary research experience. The Engineers for Exploration Research Experience for Undergraduates Site offers research projects rooted in real-world applications and guided by mentorship from scientists and explorers. These use-inspired artificial intelligence research projects include the creation of machine learning and digital signal processing algorithms to automatically classify bird calls from acoustic wildlife sensors, the building of novel sensing strategies on the Smartfin embedded computing system to allow surfers to collect coastal oceanographic data, and the development of FishSense underwater 3D camera systems that automate the collection of fish measurements to turn recreational divers into citizen scientists aiding in fisheries management. Engineers for Exploration involves participants in multidisciplinary research projects spanning embedded systems, remote sensing, digital signal processing, computer vision, machine learning, robotics, and data analytics. The projects develop innovative computer systems that support exploration, and are deployed worldwide by scientists and explorers. For participants, the site fosters mentorship, leadership, and teamwork skills, providing a positive, memorable experience that encourages them to pursue further opportunities, such as research training or graduate education. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.