Programs and Opportunities
CISTAR'S REM PROGRAM
For example, CISTAR partners with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) to offer a Research Experience and Mentoring (REM) summer program that inspires students and includes them in a larger engineering and science community of both academics and industry professionals interested in energy.
Highlights of the program include:
- A unique combined summer experience. Talented and highly-motivated students across engineering and science disciplines get to spend 6-weeks doing cutting-edge research at CISTAR and then spend 4-weeks mentoring kids at NSBE’s Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) camps.
- Getting the best of both worlds. They get to spend part of their summer being mentored and growing their research and professional skills, and then spend time “giving back” by encouraging and mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists—all in one summer!
- A common energy theme. Students are inspired and connected to one another by having a common theme across their different research projects of Energy for Our Growing World – How to reduce the negative impact that energy sources have on our world while still meeting people's energy needs. Students are also inspired by learning what energy companies are doing, and having interactive talks, company tours, and weekly mentoring sessions with industry professionals.
For more insight into the impact of the program, please watch a short video of our 2021 cohort of students talking about their summer experience (left)
Once you listen to the 2021 REM students, it is apparent how their summer with CISTAR and NSBE was career- and life-changing. CISTAR is looking forward to offering this program—in person and to more students—in summer 2022.
Help to Fuel the Future by supporting this unique program that also broadens representation. If you are interested in becoming involved in this program (i.e., providing funds for more students; being a part of our industry program), please contact Maeve Drummond Oakes, CISTAR Assistant Director of Education, or Denise Driscoll, CISTAR Director of Diversity and Inclusion.
For more information and to apply, please visit the Research Experience and Mentoring page.
International Opportunities
International Opportunities
There are many opportunities for our students to learn more by arranging a study or work internship abroad with one of our partners. We have partners around the world and many global industry partners. Here are a few opportunities we provide:
Participate in a Virtual Experiential Intercultural Learning Opportunity with CISTAR.
CISTAR will facilitate a virtual learning opportunity with Brazilian & U.S. students with the end goals of:
1. Developing their intercultural competencies
2. Promoting international peer interactions and discussions about energy for our growing world (how countries are balancing the energy needs with the impact energy sources have on communities, countries, and our world).
contact Dr. Driscoll, in CISTAR/School of Chemical Engineering at driscoll@purdue.edu.
Coming in Summer 2023 - Study Abroad Course in Brazil
As this new opportunity is developed, the main course components will be structured to:
- Teach students about natural gas, oil, energy storage, & transportation in Brazil;
- Deepen student understanding of technical topics, tools, and new methods important for transitioning to a lower greenhouse gas economy; and,
- Improve students’ intercultural skills by visiting cultural sites, developing meaningful relationships with students, staff, and faculty in Brazil, and engaging in skill-building learning activities.