Presentation
Computational Skills Training for Undergraduates in Molecular Engineering
DescriptionIn June 2024, the University of Washington’s (UW) Clean Energy Institute and Molecular Engineering and Materials Center, in partnership with the UW high-performance computing (HPC) facilitation team, prepared complimentary training for a group of 25 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) participants. Workshop participants had completed zero to four years of post-secondary education and were from 17 universities across eight states, with 29% currently attending two-year programs, and on average, 14 students attended each workshop. The program included four targeted introductory workshop offerings, spanning essential skills in computational science and advanced topics. The program's effectiveness was evaluated with a post-workshop survey. The survey showed that some students agreed with statements indicating that learning objectives were met, but overall scores and open responses indicated areas for improvement. Our reproducible program addressed a wide range of training and education needs within computational science, emphasizing practical skills and interdisciplinary applicability.