Mazie Hirono: “Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1654, which supports the designation of the week of April 11…”

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1654, which supports the designation of the week of April 11, 2011, as ``Undergraduate Research Week.'' The undergraduate students of our Nation's colleges and universities provide important research across many disciplines at over 600 colleges and universities each year. Undergraduate research occurs in a number of fields, including arts and humanities, biology, chemistry, health sciences, geosciences, mathematics, computer science, physics and astronomy, psychology, social sciences, and many more. Students work with dedicated faculty mentors to produce important studies, findings, and reports that advance research in these fields. Undergraduate research helps both individual students and the institutions they attend. Student researchers develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and an understanding of research methodology which helps to prepare them for graduate education and their future careers. For institutions of higher education, undergraduate research promotes an innovation-oriented culture, bolsters research capacities, and improves retention rates by engaging students in the campus community.”