Ten simple rules for maximizing summer research experiences for students, mentors, and research groups

Area of Science:

• STEM Education
• Mentored Research

Background:

• Summer research internships offer significant benefits to students, mentors, and principal investigators (PIs).
• These experiences are crucial for introducing students to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers and fostering professional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a guide for designing effective short-term, immersive research experiences for students.
• To outline strategies for optimizing benefits for students, bench mentors, and PIs.

Main Methods:

• The study presents "Ten Simple Rules" for structuring short-term research internships.
• Emphasis is placed on co-created projects, accessible techniques, and developing student understanding of research.

Main Results:

• Students gain hands-on research experience, insight into the scientific process, and clarity on career aspirations.
• Bench mentors develop training and mentoring skills, while PIs benefit from fresh perspectives and progress on research questions.

Conclusions:

• Well-designed short-term research experiences are vital for student and mentor development within STEM fields.
• The principles outlined can enhance the effectiveness of internships across various research settings.