LSU Explorers Program

The LSU Explorers program is a one-year preparatory program for freshmen with Work Study funding who are interested in participating in faculty-mentored research.  This entry-level program prepares students for faculty mentored research experiences through a series of weekly activities including workshops, peer mentoring, and seminars.  Students accepted to the program will be matched with a faculty mentor who will train the student in research basics specific to their field.  All Explorer participants are paid an hourly wage for their time spent in the program through their Work Study funding. 

 

Application Information

  • LSU Freshmen only
  • Students with Work Study funding
  • You must be available to attend the weekly meetings held every Friday from 3:00-4:30 PM
  • No prior research experience needed!
  • Applications for Fall 22/Spring 23 are closed.

Program Information

The Explorers will meet every Friday at 3:00-4:30 PM for programming activities.  Time spent at programming will be compensated with hourly wages through your Work Study funding.

  • Programming subjects
    • College 101
      • Study Skills
      • Time Management
      • Financial Literacy
    • Understanding Research
      • The role of Research Faculty at a university
      • Hear from Research Faculty about their current work
      • Hear from upperclassmen undergraduate researchers about what it's like to work with faculty on research
    • Developing Research Skills
      • Understanding the basics of research
      • Research ethics
      • Information Literacy
    • Peer Mentoring: discussions led by advanced student researchers
      • balancing schoolwork and research
      • advice on college involvement

Explorers can also participate in these optional activities (time spent in these activities also qualifies for hourly wages)

  • Science Cafe - monthly presentation of a professors research held at the Varsity; discussion with Explorers to follow
  • Visits to creative and research spaces around campus

Using your application essays, the Explorer program managers will select a faculty member to match you with.  You will meet with your matched professor at least once a week and that time will be compensated with hourly wages from your Work Study funding.

  • All Explorer students must complete the annual LSU employee trainings within the first month of the fall semester each calendar year (time spent on these should be added to your timesheet).  Certificates of completion should be emailed to lsudiscover@lsu.edu.  All trainings can be accessed here.
    • Title IX Training
    • Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics Training
    • Digital Resource and Content Accessibility Awareness Training
  • Research training (time spent on these should be added to your timesheet).  This must be completed before the end of the fall semester.
    • In addition to any trainings assigned by your faculty mentor, Explorer students are expected to complete the CITI Responsible Conduct in Research Training online module. This training can be accessed here.
      • There are 7 options for this training.  Choose whichever is most closely related to your faculty mentor’s area of research.  If  you’re not sure which to choose, ask your faculty mentor.
      • Certificates of completion for CITI should be emailed to lsudiscover@lsu.edu

The goal of the Explorer program is to acquaint freshmen students with university research activities and support their success as students.

  • First year goals
  • Sophomore goals
    • continue research with faculty mentor or request to switch to new mentor
    • apply to university & summer research programs
    • present at Discover Day
  • Advanced goals
    • Presentation at a professional conference/event or a co-authored publication with faculty mentor
    • Off-campus summer research opportunity – details to be provided by LSU Discover

LSU freshmen students who have Work Study funding.

Log into MyLSU and check your status under "Financial Aid."  Look for the "Award Letter/Award Page."

Undergraduate research refers to any activity in which an undergraduate student works alongside a faculty member (professor) on a research or creative project.

LSU professors and research professionals can serve as mentors.

During the Fall semester.

Each research experience is unique so we cannot give you exact details but all students will be given on the job training. Explorers will learn more about the variety of research experiences during the weekly programming activity.

None!  This program is meant for you to learn about research so no experience is necessary.

Minimum of 2.5 hours per week (1.5 hours for programming and at least 1 hour with your mentor)

Explorers are paid $10/hour bi-weekly via direct deposit.

  • Everyone must attend the Friday programming activities from 3:00-4:30 PM
  • You will also set a schedule with your faculty mentor which can be anywhere from 1- 5 hours per week.

The Explorers program is set for the Fall and Spring semesters of your freshmen year.

Explorer students will be given ample advice on how to continue their research either through their Work Study funding or by applying to one of the various student research programs at LSU and at other US institutions.

The LSU Discover Undergraduate Research Office in coordination with the McNair Scholars program runs the Explorers program. 

LSU Discover is an office which offers resources and guidance to any undergraduate student at LSU interested in undergraduate research. 

McNair Scholars is a federal program that provides funding to first-generation, low-income, and ethnically underrepresented students who participate in  undergraduate research experiences.  Students can apply to the McNair program in the Spring semester of their sophomore year.

The LSU Explorers program is a freshmen year program designed to introduce low-income and first generation students to faculty research and research opportunities.  LSU Explorer faculty mentors are asked to meet at least once a week with their mentee for introductory level activities in research such as shadowing, assisting with entry-level research tasks, readings, assigned videos, and/or one-on-one discussions.  Mentors can also assign the student to meet with Post-docs, graduate students, or undergraduates in their research groups.

Information coming soon.

Information coming soon.