Getting invested: Mentoring strategies to help undergraduate researchers gain a sense of project ownership.

As scientists, many of us point to our research experience as undergraduates as instrumental to our careers. Yet, involving and mentoring undergraduates in our own research programs can be challenging. To get the most out of their experience, it is important for undergraduates to feel a sense of project ownership. This fuels self-motivation, engagement, and independence. I will discuss practical strategies to help undergraduates take ownership of their work and develop as independent and critical thinkers. These strategies will not only improve the training, experience, and retention of undergraduates, they will also improve the quality of the research they perform.