The Barrett Scholarships: Sponsoring Undergraduate Student Research in Environmental Engineering to Encourage Professional Problem Solving and Communication

University of Vermont College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (UVM-CEMS) and the Barrett Foundation have established a scholarship program for undergraduate students in engineering, physical and natural sciences who wish to pursue independent research aimed at solving environmental problems. The Barrett Scholarship program was specifically designed to create a more knowledgeable and effective engineering workforce by reinforcing the technical (e.g., systems analyses, information technology (IT)) and "soft" skills (e.g. teamwork, communication, leadership) needed for solving environmental problems. The intent was to help retain student interest early in their engineering careers when few of their first or second year classes have any engineering or real-world applications. Fourteen scholarships have been awarded over the three-year pilot project covering a range of topics. During the summer research months, the Barrett Scholars meet regularly with their advisors and project affiliates. They prepare written and oral presentations to communicate their work and many of them participate in campuswide student research events. Past recipients report their experiences with the Barrett Scholarship program to be extremely valuable in their job searches, interest in graduate studies and to their work experience.