AGREEMENT

Lehigh Earth Observatory

Student Intern or Research Agreement

The Lehigh Earth Observatory (LEO) is committed to provide internship and research experiences to students. Some of those experiences allow students to earn academic credit, and others provide a modest stipend. Many of the experiences also involve partnership with an organization external to the University. The key elements of an internship or research opportunity are (1) the student does something rather than reading about it or listening to a lecture about it, (2) the student and faculty member (along with other students and partners from any external organization) work in a mentoring relationship, and (3) often, but not always, students work in teams toward a common goal. Evaluation of a studentıs performance must, therefore, be based on what the student actually does, which means that the evaluation is outcome-based. We need to be very clear at the outset what our expectations are for outcomes.

1. All LEO internship and research experiences must yield a written report on the activity. The report should be turned in to the faculty mentor and the LEO Manager at a mutually agreed time, and it must include an electronic version of all documents. At a minimum, the report needs an introduction (description of the project along with any necessary background material), a description of methods, a complete inventory with description of results (including data, observations, maps, etc.), and a summary. The faculty mentor will provide more specific guidance and might stipulate additional requirements for the report. Substantial research projects like a senior thesis need literature reviews and interpretive discussions.

2. In addition to the project report, the student must also provide a written evaluation of the experience that comments on how the experience advanced the student's educational goals and aspirations. If the project involves partnership with an external organization, the evaluation should include comments on that partnership. For team projects, the faculty mentor may request a confidential assessment of each team memberıs contributions. And finally, the student must prepare a final presentation that will be presented with all of the other LEO Interns at a mutual time towards the end of the semester.

3. For projects that earn academic credit, the expected level of effort is 3 to 4 hours/week/credit. The faculty mentor and the student need to be clear about the number of credits for which the student is registered and the consequent commitment of time. Specific tasks will be planned with a view to the time commitment. Students should be aware that projects typically require an additional investment of time beyond the basic expectation in order to rise to a suitable level of excellence. Mid-course adjustments to the expected tasks may, however, be necessary if the time required for tasks is significantly different from (greater or less than) the time available. Note that students registering for EES 93 or 293 may receive credit toward various distribution requirements (NS, SS, HU, Lab, Field, or Free Elective). EES majors should also note the limitation on internship or research credits that can be applied toward the major.

4. The evaluation of the student's performance will be based on completion of the tasks, degree of engagement in the learning/mentoring process, effective participation in a team effort, and quality of the final report. The faculty mentor may stipulate additional factors for consideration.

Print and fill out the form below, or fill out the Online Agreement.

Student Name: ______________________________________________________

Period of internship or research experience: _______________________________

Number of credits: ______________________

Type of distribution credit (NS, SS, HU, Lab, Field, or Free Elective): _________________________

Hours effort/week:_____________ Date of this agreement: __________________

Date for project completion: _________________________

Project Title: ________________________________________________________

Faculty Mentor: _____________________________________________________

External Partner/Organization: __________________________________________

Team Members: _____________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Tasks:

Expected Product(s):

Additional Expectations:

Read attachment for specific tasks and expectations:

Mentor(s):_________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

I have read and understand the internship requirements:

Student:_____________________________________________________________

LEO Manager: _______________________________________________________