REU Site on UAV Technologies: Effectiveness of the Program on Student Success

This paper discusses the effectiveness of the REU Program at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) on the student success. The REU Program titled “Research Experience for Undergraduates in UAV Technologies” was funded by the NSF’s EEC Program. The main goal of the Program was to increase undergraduate students’ participation and interest in research on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) technologies. Undergraduate students from 2and 4-year institutions were involved in a multidisciplinary research projects at Cal Poly Pomona. The REU site has so far hosted a total of 31 diverse group of students for 8-10 weeks of summer search during the three year period, with the projects focusing on research on the Dynamics and Control of UAVs, Collision Detection and Avoidance System for UAVs, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, Navigation in GPS-Denied Environments, and Flight Test experience. Another goal is to attract students from community colleges to STEM programs at 4-year institutions and encourage the participants to pursue their studies for graduate degrees. The paper discusses the effectiveness of the Program in meeting its goals and objectives and on student success. The Program has been tracking the participants. Most of the participants are now pursuing their educational or professional career in the area of UAVs and other related areas. The program has also been successful in motivating the participants to graduate degrees in STEM disciplines. Some of the participants are already pursuing their studies for a Master’s degree or are planning to apply to Master’s/PhD programs. Most of the community college students have transferred to 4-year institutions for degrees in engineering. Also, all the participants have presented their work at student and/or professional conferences. This has helped the participants improve their written and oral communication skills. The paper discusses how the Program influenced in motivating them to graduate studies and/or for R&D career in industry in the areas of UAV technologies. The paper also discusses lessons learned, student feedback, and their suggestion for improvements. Students reported statistically significant changes in skills related to UAVs from pre-participation to post-participation. In addition, improvements in “soft skills”, particularly with regard to working in teams, were found in qualitative/quantitative results.