Summer 2023 to Academic Year 2023-24
Evaluating Automatically Generated Stories for Preschoolers
Psychology & Neuroscience
Mentor: Eliana Colunga
Are you interested in how children learn language? Are you curious about how technology can be used to support early learning? This project looks at whether automatically generated stories can be enjoyable and effective tools to support preschoolers’ vocabulary growth. Participating students will learn about early language development and work with families in the community to evaluate and refine new learning technology. Our lab also welcomes students who are interested in doing independent projects or honors thesis.
Project continues from Summer 2023 to Academic Year 2023-24 and might provide opportunities in either or both terms.
CU Boulder’s iGEM Team (Bioengineering Therapeutic Plants)
Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology
Mentor: Brian DeDecker
The iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) program is the premier student competition in synthetic biology. CU Boulder’s 2023 undergraduate team is using synthetic biology to engineer plants to efficiently produce the cancer drug Taxol. Our team of 10 undergraduates will represent STEM departments from across campus. You will learn and use molecular biology techniques to accomplish this research goal. Past iGEM teams from around the world have formed biotech startups based on their projects. CU Boulder’s iGEM team will present our project next fall at the iGEM conference to compete against top international universities. Last year’s competition had 300 teams and more than 6,000 participants from over 45 countries. Let's show the world what STEM students from the University of Colorado can accomplish.
CU Boulder iGEM Team Site
New ‘magic beans’ produce ingredients for cancer treatments, vaccines and more
Project continues from Summer 2023 to Academic Year 2023-24 and might provide opportunities in either or both terms.
CU Playback Ensemble - Empowering Students through Engaged Theatre
Undergraduate Education: Norlin Scholars Program
Mentor: James Walker
The CU Playback Ensemble uses improvised forms of theater, music and movement to honor audience members’ stories and promote understanding across difference. Since 2019, the troupe has offered residencies, workshops and performances throughout Colorado, frequently with a social justice or equity focus. Crucial to our mission is the ability to honor stories from all members of our diverse audiences; thus, students of a diverse array of backgrounds and identities are encouraged to inquire. No performance experience required; strong interest and/or background in social justice a plus. Interested performers learn forms of engaged theater which boost skills of listening, empathy, spontaneity, collaboration and trust. Non-performing positions also available for students with strong skills in organization, event planning, graphic design, marketing and communication (including social media), and/or budgeting/accounting. Contact James Walker (above) to apply.
CU's Playback Ensemble
Project continues from Summer 2023 to Academic Year 2023-24 and might provide opportunities in either or both terms.
The Origin and Impact of M Dwarf Flares - Next Steps
Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences
Mentor: Meredith MacGregor
Are there other planets like Earth and could they host life? Small cool stars host most of the potentially habitable planets in the Universe. However, they also frequently send bursts of high energy radiation (flares) out into space that can ionize and strip a planet's atmosphere. Over the course of the summer, students will analyze multi-wavelength astronomical observations in order to identify and characterize flaring events from nearby M Dwarfs. The results from this project will inform atmospheric models of other worlds and bring new insights to our understanding of exoplanet habitability. We are a collaborative research group that values diverse experiences and backgrounds. Come learn about exoplanets and the potential for life to exist beyond Earth!
Project continues from Summer 2023 to Academic Year 2023-24 and might provide opportunities in either or both terms.