Serious research at a CC? Setting up a program

[Physics of Math]

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In brief, I recently filled in for a friend and taught a few chemistry classes at a local community college using my standard method of translational teaching (basic theory -> basic application -> advanced theory -> advanced application...) . Towards the end, I mentioned many of the different ways researches are helping in the real world. My in-box now has several eMails asking if it is possible to do [real] research at a CC and would I help get them started...

I don't mind the helping part, but I'm unsure if anything resembling biomedical research could be conducted at a CC. Their lab facilities are lacking and aside from plants or maybe fish, I can't think of anything they can conduct an experiment on. Computer models might be possible...

They have little desire to do psychiatric experiments.

Thoughts?

 

[wanderer123]

In brief, I recently filled in for a friend and taught a few chemistry classes at a local community college using my standard method of translational teaching (basic theory -> basic application -> advanced theory -> advanced application...) . Towards the end, I mentioned many of the different ways researches are helping in the real world. My in-box now has several eMails asking if it is possible to do [real] research at a CC and would I help get them started...

I don't mind the helping part, but I'm unsure if anything resembling biomedical research could be conducted at a CC. Their lab facilities are lacking and aside from plants or maybe fish, I can't think of anything they can conduct an experiment on. Computer models might be possible...

They have little desire to do psychiatric experiments.

Thoughts?

I think it is a great idea to get a small research program set up at a community college! You would need to get some sort of funding to do even computer modeling work - possibly from the school or hold a fundraiser for the program. I have a friend who did something along these lines as an outreach project and he received about $500-$1000 for supplies from the school.

Another less hands on idea that I have seen put into practice is getting students to write small theoretical or review articles for publication. Whatever project you go after would need to be very well defined and narrow in scope though.

 

[Drexon]

A suggestion for your students would be to try and take some of their time and volunteer in a lab outside of your CC. Perhaps in your city there are several institutions devoted to research. If your students do the necessary background work [read up on the professors etc.] and decide to approach a professor or PI then they could get a position in the lab to do research. Although it's best suggest working at a volunteer level and see where it goes from there [perhaps a volunteer position might eventually develop into a paid position etc who knows?].
I'm personally prefer a more rigid structure for people to develop their research prowess although it's not necessary.