The Washington University Office of Undergraduate Research is participating in a national event this week.

The United States House of Representatives established Undergraduate Research Week in a resolution last November.

The week’s events will focus on improving the undergraduate research experience. In order to do so, the Office of Undergraduate Research will try to recruit more professional mentors for students to interact with.

Students agree that the week’s events will help their peers become engaged in research initiatives on campus.

“It’s a good way to inform students of the research opportunities on campus,” junior Colleen Yard said.

Members of the Office will table at the Medical School on Monday and Tuesday in an effort to raise faculty awareness of the many undergraduates available to assist with research.

Undergraduate researchers will have the opportunity to present their work on Wednesday and Thursday in the Danforth University Center. The Office hopes that this presentation will give students interested in research access to information about opportunities for undergraduates.

On Friday, the Office will hold a series of events for prospective students visiting campus for Multicultural Weekend.

Joy Kiefer, the assistant dean in the office of undergraduate research, thinks that these events will help students to get involved in research on campus.

“The main purpose of the week is to raise awareness of the importance of undergraduate research in all disciplines, as well as the ways in which the Washington University Office of Undergraduate Research can help our students get started and support their work,” said Keifer. “Undergraduate research is an amazing way to be deeply engaged in a unique discipline and create new knowledge for that discipline very early in one’s academic career.”

Yard, who has done research at the Medical School, says that participating in research enabled her to learn outside of the classroom.

Other students recognize the importance of doing research as an undergraduate.

“I think it’s important, because then you have experience outside of the classroom, which is helpful later on when you’re looking for a job,” freshman Claire Guo said.

Aside from this week, the Office of Undergraduate Research consistently provides students with services aimed at encouraging them to engage in research.

The Spring 2011 Undergraduate Research Symposium will take place on April 30.

The Office offers summer stipends of up to $4,000 and conference travel grants for up to $500 to university undergraduates who are engaged in research monitored by a faculty member.

Students also have the opportunity to have their research published. Any student who has conducted research can send a manuscript for a feature article in Washington University’s Undergraduate Research Digest, which is published twice yearly and is distributed nationally.

For students who are interested in research, advising appointments with the Office are available on campus.