The Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) are meant to stimulate a student's interest in research in the natural sciences and engineering. Students work closely together with eligible FASS faculty that can supervise their research. The awards are also meant to encourage students to undertake graduate studies and pursue a research career in these fields.
As a recipient of the NSERC-USRA grant for the summer of 2020, I had the opportunity to work in the lab of Dr. Kamawar on various projects related to children’s future-oriented cognition. In particular, I was fortunate to be involved in the design of a new research study examining preschooler’s emerging ability to save, and I also helped to convert an existing study into an online format so that data-collection could continue over the course of this year (given the current pandemic situation). It was a very valuable experience for me in terms of gaining knowledge about the research process and improving my research-related skills and I really enjoyed working together with the other lab members. Supervisor: Dr. Deepthi Kamawar.
This research compares how the presence of nature versus urban sounds while completing tasks might affect time perception, mood, and stress. The presence of nature sounds might lead to time being seen as passing slower, mood getting better, and stress being reduced, compared to the presence of urban sounds. As data collection in person was not possible in the summer of 2020, this project was written up as pre-registered report in the international, peer-reviewed journal Collabra. Data will be collected once it is possible, with the help of other students. Supervisor: Dr. Johanna Peetz
Student (Hannah): The NSERC USRA provided me the opportunity to work with an established group of permafrost modellers within Dr. Stephan Grubers Geocryology lab. I have developed a better understanding of both software development and how to program technical representations of ground surface phenomena. This opportunity proved to be a challenging and rewarding interdisciplinary project for me to apply both my environmental and computer science background.
Supervisor (Dr. Stephan Gruber): Hannah improved simulation tools for NSERC PermafrostNet and her work will be used and continued in a handful of graduate projects. With her background in climate and computer science, she made a valuable contribution to our research group. We met once a week virtually, and when Hannah comes to Carleton for her M.Sc. later this year, I look forward to finally meeting her in person.
Supervisor (Dr. Derek Mueller): Cameron will be among the first people to visit the Milne Ice Shelf after it broke in two last July. His undergraduate thesis will document the changes that occurred in this remote site so that we can better understand how climate change is affecting Canada's northernmost coastline.
Student (Cameron): I’ve had the privilege of working with Prof. Mueller for three years now, during which time I have gained tremendous interest in Arctic research though my mostly supportive role. This year, I am honoured to be joining Derek’s field team for a month-long scientific expedition to the Milne Ice Shelf in Canada’s High Arctic. This opportunity will allow me to practice research methods normally unavailable to an undergraduate student, in an area of major significance to Arctic research. This work will also serve as the basis for my undergraduate thesis set to begin in Fall 2021. I look forward to the challenges and learning opportunities this award will provide!
Over the past year, I've enjoyed studying future-oriented cognition in young children and look forward to continuing in this field with a focus on saving behaviours. I am grateful for the support and guidance from my supervisor, Dr. Deepthi Kamawar. This award provides further opportunities for developing a study, working with children, and advancing my knowledge of an exciting area of research!