Participating students were asked
"What would you tell other students about your experience with your project or the short-term program?"
Here are all of their responses. Please note that some comments are specific to the project the student was participating in.
This was a fun and rewarding experience! You get to meet so many members of the EPS community, and it's a great way to get into research and/or EPS without a major commitment. Even if you don't plan to study EPS, you can still get a lot out of it.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in this short-term EPS fellowship. I had the chance to explore a specific area within in EPS, namely structural geology and seismology, and experience the research process of collecting and analyzing data collaboratively, while modeling our data with the previously unfamiliar software QGIS and GOCAD. It was amazing to be able to ask tons of questions about interpreting our results and about the research process to our PhD research leader and advisor - she made this fellowship all the more enjoyable! If you are interested in EPS and/or want a taste of research life, I would highly recommend this program!!
If you're not sure whether you're a "good fit" for research... you are! My EPS short-term project was a fantastic introduction to scientific study. The professors and coordinators were extremely helpful and friendly, and the program pays particular attention to formulating methodical skills. I came in with no research experience, and have left with valuable scientific insights, a new outlook on scientific inquiry, and a new field of academic interest!
This program was my first official exposure to formal lab research. Before these three weeks, I thought of research as an enigmatic pursuit that only the most knowledgeable experts in a field could participate in, just because research papers that I have looked at in the past seemed highly complex and even confusing. However, the EPS Short-Term Research Program proved me wrong: anyone can pursue and enjoy research if they are willing to take on the personal and intellectual challenges that research entails. These three weeks could not have been a more fulfilling, educational, and engaging first exposure to research for me. A huge thank you to the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department for organizing and guiding me through this wonderful program!
It's a fun way to dip your toes into research at Harvard and the Earth and Planetary Sciences Department. The hours are flexible and the faculty and researchers are very helpful, even if you don't have as much background in the areas the research is in.
This short-term program with EPS was such an enjoyable time and one of the highlights of my winter term. It exposed me to research at Harvard and showed how willing and helpful faculty and professors are to help, teach, and learn from you. Esther James was so wonderful and involved and was a great project lead/mentor! Would definitely recommend to any students interested in either research or EPS!
Through my project I learned about how important it is to develop the Earth and planetary sciences through research. I would recommend students to explore their interests through the short-term program and ask as many questions as they would like.
The professors and graduate students in this program are all super welcoming and considerate of your interests and background. This program is a great way to dip your toes into an EPS-related topic and to learn more about research. I really enjoyed being able to connect with a lab in a really low-stress way, and I got to learn a lot about what the EPS department does, too.
Do it and apply! Its a great way to learn about something completely new or get in touch with professors and graduate students who are just as passionate about earth and planetary sciences as you are! There are a plethora of projects to learn from and tons of awesome people to meet on the way. I'm sure you'll leave having learned something new and having had the possibility of discovering something incredible.
The EPS winter-term program is a great way to get to know the warm and welcoming EPS Department while getting a glance at what research they are involved in! I would highly recommend it for any student who might be interested in learning more about EPS or environmental science.
The short-term program is an awesome way to be introduced to research and a completely new topic in a low-stakes and low-commitment environment. I highly recommend it!
This program was a great way to get some experience with research and data analytics skills while learning about a fascinating field.
I would encourage everybody to apply, whether you are strongly interested in EPS or have not heard of the EPS department before. If you are already interested, the program will be a great opportunity to put your knowledge in practice. Even if you are more interested in other disciplines, the tools and methods you will use in this program can be used in other settings too.
Would highly recommend, especially during winter break. Workload can be as high or as low as you want it to be.
I learned so much in this program - everything from "what is sulfur isotope fractionation and why does it matter?" to "what is Python?" to "how should we look at the data?" It's true that no experience is necessary - I had none with respect to any part of the project and still got so much out of it. If you're trying to decide between programs, DO THIS ONE!
The EPS Research Program is an incredible opportunity to gain exposure to a new department, experience remote research at Harvard, and learn from graduate students, professors, and peers! I couldn't recommend it enough and I am very grateful for the new skills and experiences I gained over the winter break. Everyone in the EPS department I interacted with was extremely kind and willing to answer questions. If you approach your research project with an open mind and enthusiasm to explore, you'll be surprised how much you learn over the course of a few weeks!
This experience is the most chill but also most rewarding J-term you could possibly partake in as an inexperienced (or somewhat experienced) freshman. The EPS department is great and welcoming no matter what your major might be. If you are even a little bit interested in some topic, do it!
This project was a great learning experience and introduction to data science and its important applications. It was collaborative and very easy to get help and feedback, and overall the perfect environment in which I could learn and apply new knowledge and techniques.
The short-term program is a great opportunity to get experience with research, especially if it's your first time taking on a research project. There is plenty of guidance throughout the process, and an abundance of opportunities to familiarize yourself with the EPS department.
If you are interested in research, but not sure what area of research you want to pursue this is the perfect program for you! This fellowship will give a wonderful introduction to research. The EPS community is extremely supportive and will help you find what you are interested in!
Highly recommend applying! I honest to goodness just enjoyed learning more about the sun and climate in general. I had absolutely no background in EPS, but I found it to be a really interesting topic nonetheless. Just being able to talk to so many super smart individuals, each pursuing unique avenues in EPS, was intriguing and inspiring. Whether you're already familiar with EPS or are just down to learn something new, the short-term program is a fun, chill environment to gain some research experience and feed your curiosity. Who knows? Maybe you'll discover that it's your passion.
Low commitment, great reward. You get to delve into an interesting topic, learn real science, collaborate with others, and get paid for doing it. A fantastic program overall.
I had a really great time! Coming in, I did not have much exposure to EPS, but I was still able to enjoy this project, and I learned a lot. I would advise that any potential student intern outline weekly/daily goals for themselves in terms of what they want to learn and what they want to accomplish (relevant to the project they are working on and the topic they are exploring) and work their hardest to meet these goals.
It was one of the most enjoyable experience that I've ever had! I've personally learned so much in such a short time period, and Professor Brendan Meade is such an amazing, enthusiastic, funny, and knowledgeable person.
It was so much fun! And a great, low-commitment way to get involved with research!!
