About the WISER Program
History of the WISER Program
WISER is a research program for women in their first year of undergraduate
studies at The Pennsylvania State University. It was created in 1993 as a
means to retain women in the traditionally male-dominated fields of science and
engineering, where studies have proven the highest percentages of dropouts
occur among women.
During the past 14 years, nearly 500 first-year women students have participated in WISER as part of
various research teams. Research opportunities are available in the Colleges of
Agriculture, Earth & Mineral Sciences, Engineering, Health and Human
Development, Information Sciences and Technology, and the Eberly College of Science. In recent years,
WISERs have been able to work in fields such as astronomy, astrophysics, astrobiology, ecology,
global environmental change, and materials science and engineering.
Questions for Potential WISER Students
Are you a first or second semester woman intending to major in the
sciences or engineering?
Are you currently undecided (DUS)?
Would you like to gain research experience in your first year,
participate in the ongoing research activities of a real laboratory,
and become a fully functioning member of a research team?
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, then WISER may be right for you!
Benefits of the WISER Program
- Early experience in the field for either credit or a stipend
-
Hands-on science or engineering work done in context and in an
environment that more closely resembles industry
- Informal mentoring with faculty, graduate students, research associates,
and post-docs in the lab
- Advice on career choices, other research, theses possibilities, etc.
- Gathering of sources for reference letters
- Networking opportunities in the field that you are interested in
A WISER Student's Typical Schedule
- Research begins in January and runs for two semesters (either Spring
and Summer or Spring and Fall).
- During the Spring semester, students spend at least 5 hours of work in the lab
per week in return for one credit hour. During the second semester of research (either summer or fall) a WISER
student
is granted a $500 stipend and is required to maintain a work schedule of 5 hours per week at minimum. Students are responsible
for any tuition expenses for independent study credits.
Questions about the website?
Contact spacegrant@psu.edu
Last Updated:
August 26, 2008
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