The following information is provided about this project so that you can decide if you would like to participate.

Project Description: This project supports STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce development by studying how authentic research experiences translate into professional STEM success. The research study considers authentic STEM research experiences such as, but not limited to, presenting at conferences, engaging in internships, collaborating with other student in STEM competitions, or contributing to ongoing research or engineering projects. Professional success refers to STEM self-efficacy, STEM identity, earning a degree in a STEM-related field, or employment in a STEM field.

Participation: To assess the extent to which authentic research experiences translate into professional success, we are asking you to participate in this research study. You are being asked to participate because you attend a participating institute of higher education and are currently enrolled in a STEM degree program. You may or may not have had additional opportunities such as internships or conference presentations; however, you can still participate in this research study.

Data Collection: We are asking you to complete a pre-survey at the beginning of your participation and then post surveys at the end of each semester or quarter through June 2024. Participation requires completing surveys via Survey Monkey.

Risks and Benefits: We do not foresee any risks; however, you may experience discomforts related to the additional burden of taking surveys during a stressful academic year. The benefits of participating include the opportunity to reflect on your professional journey while engaging with the surveys.

Incentives: Participants will receive, by email, an incentive in the form of a $25 Amazon gift card after completing each survey. To receive a gift card you must provide a valid .edu email address and you must be a STEM major enrolled in a university or college located in the United States.

Confidential and Voluntary: All your data will be kept confidential. None of your identifying information will be published without your additional consent. Further, no information gathered about you will be used in any other research studies or evaluations outside of this one. Your participation is voluntary. Refusal to participate involves no penalty. Further, you may discontinue participation at any time without penalty. To decline participation, you may (a) not sign up or consent to participate here or (b) contact us at info@goldstreamgroup.com to be removed.

Contact: You may contact us at any time if you have additional questions. Please contact the project’s Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Denise Thorsen, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, info@goldstreamgroup.com.

The UAF Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a group that reviews research projects involving people. This review is done to protect the rights and welfare of the people involved in the research. If you have questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant or in the event of a research-related harm, you can contact the UAF Office of Research Integrity at 474-7800 (Fairbanks area