REU preparations

I'm currently in high gear preparing for exodus to the field. This involves finalizing plans for what exactly I'll be trying to accomplish this summer, coordinating with all of the other researchers I work with so we don't step on each others toes (figuratively and literally), ordering supplies, and developing projects for the undergraduates that will be working with us this summer. This last one is an interesting challenge. I'm a mentor for an NSF program called Research Experience for Undergraduates (commonly called REU). Undergraduates from all over the country apply to be a part of this program and get matched up with researchers that are equally scattered all over the country. As a mentor I get to walk a line that balances letting these students develop and execute their own projects, but also supervise enough so that the project is feasible, with appropriate methods etc., and successful. Our lab has a strong record of these projects leading to publications, which is great for everyone. The mentor gets additional data collected that they wouldn't have time to work on otherwise. The student gets experience developing an actual research project from the ground up, and if things go well they wind up with a publication/presentation that helps to make them more competitive when it comes time to apply to grad school themselves. Sounds great right? Well it is, but that doesn't mean it's easy.