Frequently Asked Questions

What are the program dates?

The Summer 2008 program runs from May 27 through August 1, 2008. Students will be expected to check in on Monday, May 28 and check out on Saturday, August 2.

Do interns have to work set hours each day? How many hours do they work each week?

Interns are expected to work a minimum of 40 hours per week in curricular activities. They are expected to attend all classes, lectures, research team meetings, and industry tours that might be scheduled between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm, as well as participate in various extracurricular activities during the evenings and on weekends. There may be some flexibility in working hours if all team members agree, but there must be significant times when all members of the team are in the lab at the same time. This position is more than just a summer job. It is an internship and is intended to support the intellectual and professional development of students who have a sincere desire to be fully involved in a program which offers an intensive, mentored, research experience.

Can I take classes or have a part-time job while I am in the program?

We ask that you are not enrolled in classes and are not otherwise employed while affiliated with the program. During this program your day will be filled with classes, research, and seminars and your evenings may be filled with homework, extracurricular activities and more research. In order to gain the greatest benefit from this experience, we ask that students free their schedules so that they are able to participate fully in the program.

If I participate in the program, where will I live and what are the meal arrangements?

Interns selected to participate in the program receive a free housing and a meal plan. They will be housed in the Frederiksen Court Apartments with four other interns from this program. Each intern will have their own bedroom. More information about Frederiksen Court Apartments can be found at http://www.housing.iastate.edu/frederiksen_apartments.php. Students will eat their meals in the Union Drive Marketplace and will also receive dining dollars which can be used at all ISU Dining establishments on campus, including dining centers, c-stores, cafes, and restaurants. More information about the Union Drive Marketplace can be found at http://www.dining.iastate.edu/dining_centers.php?id=1

How are interns assigned to research teams and how big are these teams?

The program will support five interdisciplinary research teams each summer, with three interns, one graduate student, and one faculty mentor on each team. Interns are assigned to teams according to their discipline, information technology skills, and research interests.

What are the research projects for the Summer 2008?

The research projects will be posted to the Summer 2008 webpage as soon as they are determined. Examples of research projects from past summers can be found at http://www.hci.iastate.edu/REU08/bin/edit/Main/InterdisciplinaryResearchTeams?topicparent=Main.WebHome

What have previous participants said about their experiences in the SPIRE-EIT program?

I learned a lot more than I expected. (Summer 2006)

It’s a great program. You become, I hate this word, but well rounded. (Summer 2006)

I feel like I can go back and start this next school year and feel a lot more confident about the things that I’m going to do now. I’m more prepared for my future in general I feel. (Summer 2006)

I never had so much fun coming to work before. It doesn’t feel like work. (Summer 2006)

Working with students and faculty from other disciplines improved my group skills and gave me a new outlook on how people from different areas can work together. (Summer 2007)

This is definitely an experience I won't forget. (Summer 2007)

This program was programmed very efficiently and elegantly. I appreciate the fact that it was process-centered rather than project-centered, or more so proportionately. The focus was, in the end, on individual improvement and the experiential education of possibilities and future opportunities. (Summer 2007)

I really enjoyed this program and I have learned a lot. I wasn't familiar with the HCI field but this program has certainly provided a lot of information. I think Stephen Gilbert did a wonderful job with the HCI course. I also liked the different classes that were scheduled each week. Not only were we working, but we were also learning valuable information that we could use at school and into our future careers. Our housing and meal plan were awesome. I can't complain at all! (Summer 2007)

Overall, I enjoyed the program. I learned a lot, and I have a much better sense of my goals for the future. (Summer 2007)

Who do I contact with other questions that I might have?

Please contact Pam Shill at pshill@iastateSPAMMAPS.edu or 515-294-2089 with questions about the program.