The program brought together science and engineering community college undergraduates who gained first-hand research experience in a dynamic, collaborative research environment. The interns were matched individually with UCSB faculty and graduate student laboratory mentors who provided training and support. They also attended weekly meetings, special seminars, and had the opportunity to develop their presentation skills.
The INSET program is hosted by the California NanoSystems Institute (CNSI), a collaborative effort established by the State of California and located on the UCSB and UCLA campuses. It targets the scientific and technological possibilities of working at the molecular scale drawing upon a broad scope of disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, materials science, computation, and media arts.