Program in Climate and Space Science Observation (PICASSO) at the University of Michigan
The Program in Climate and Space Science Observation (PICASSO) at the University of Michigan seeks to engage a diverse cohort of students with hands-on exposure to a broad range of climate and space science topics, including meteorology and climate impacts, atmospheric-biosphere exchange, aerosols and atmospheric chemistry, remote sensing, computational modeling, space weather and planetary atmospheres. Each student will be paired with a CLASP faculty mentor, engage with undergraduate/graduate students and post-doctoral researchers within the department, and explore a number of skill building topics through a series of professional development activities. Overall, our program will seek to produce scientifically-trained, and culturally and ethically responsible scientists, engineers and leaders.
The overall objectives of the PICASSO REU program include:
a) engagement of a diverse cohort of undergraduate students in meaningful research projects,
b) development of students’ self-efficacy with respect to participation in research and careers in STEM fields,
c) development of scientific communication skills (both oral and written) with which to convey their findings and experiences to both scientific and public audiences, and
d) development of culturally, societally and ethically competent scientists and engineers.
The program is open to students* from any academic discipline who are interested in exploring a potential career in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields of meteorology, climate, and space sciences.
Program participants will work closely with faculty, research staff, and graduate students to engage in research from a broad range of disciplines, including:
- Meteorology
- Climate science and adaptation planning
- Atmosphere-biosphere interactions
- Aerosols, and atmospheric chemistry, and air quality
- Space-based remote sensing
- Space-weather and planetary atmospheres.
As part of the PICASSO program, student participants will also engage in the following activities while on campus:
1. A mentored-guided research project, the goals of which will be designed with the participation of the students themselves
2. Peer-mentoring performed by the department’s graduate students/postdoctoral fellows
3. A professional development seminar series provided by faculty and staff from across the University of Michigan
4. Community-building activities which will strengthen their relationships within the REU student cohort, including opportunities for community service
5. An end-of-program poster fair in which students will present their works to CLASP Department faculty, student and staff
As part of the PICASSO program, participants will receive the following financial support:
- Stipend ($7000)
- Travel to/from Ann Arbor (up to $500)
- Room and board within university housing
- Travel to/from a professional conference, including room and board (up to $1700)
*Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or permanent residents of the United States.
Summer 2025
For our Summer 2025 program offering, our application period will run from December 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025. We will be using the National Science Foundation’s Education and Training Application Portal (ETAP) to collect both participant applications and references. To access this opportunity, please use the following link: https://etap.nsf.gov/award/7569/opportunity/10239 .
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via email at clasp-reu@umich.edu.