Student researcher at work.
Undergraduates at Ohio State have the unusual opportunity to gain career insights and resumé expertise by working with two of the college’s highly recognized centers.
The Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy invites undergraduates to engage in groundbreaking research that improves children’s development and learning at home, in school and in the community. Their contributions help broaden our knowledge of how children learn.
Roughly eight to 10 college students each year participate in Crane Center research. They take an active role in a range of research activities, from field assessment to data management to managing communications with both participating families and other research collaborators.
At the Schoenbaum Family Center, co-located with the Crane Center and next door to Columbus City Schools’ Weinland Park Elementary School, students have the chance to learn and implement its innovative practices with children enrolled in the A. Sophie Rogers School for Early Learning.
Undergrads assist in the education of young minds and help families manage the challenges of caring for their young children.
Those who have been involved with the Crane and Schoenbaum Family centers describe their experiences as:
- having a major influence on their career paths
- nourishing their interests in scientific study and research
- opening opportunities for community engagement
- strengthening their knowledge of early childhood development
Highlights of student experiences: Crane Center
Emily Von Krosigk, who recently finished her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science, found her involvement in Crane research deepened her understanding of what she was taught in her coursework.
“Crane creates an environment where students feel supported while gaining meaningful hands-on experience. It allowed me to connect concepts I learned in the classroom to real-world experiences through developmental research and interactions with children and families,” Von Krosigk said.
Umayna Magsi, a rising senior pursuing a double major in linguistics and psychology, has been working in Professor Shayne Piasta’s Early Literacy and Learning Lab, which is part of Crane. Magsi appreciates learning as part of a research team.
“The lab gives undergraduates the chance to contribute to meaningful research while also learning practical research skills and getting exposure to how developmental studies are conducted,” Magsi said. “It’s also been a very supportive environment, where I’ve been able to learn from graduate students, faculty and other researchers.”
Working on Crane projects also helps direct future career choices. Von Krosigk said her involvement with Crane helped solidify her decision to pursue social work as a career.
She will be able to support children and families while also considering the larger issues that affect their lives.
Magsi said her work has cemented an interest in pursuing graduate school in developmental and clinical psychology, with a focus on early childhood.
Highlights of student experiences: Schoenbaum Family Center
Students interested in gaining experience teaching young children and working with their families gain those opportunities through the Schoenbaum Internship Program, which provides them with a semester experiencing some of the tasks of an assistant teacher at the school.
The A. Sophie Rogers School enrolls children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old and is a national model in providing high-quality, research-based care and education.
During an internship — which includes a scholarship of up to half the amount of in-state tuition — undergraduates spend time in early education classrooms, where they get to participate in effective, research-based teaching methods.
“I have spent an amazing time at the center,” said Isabel Rodriguez, a rising senior with a dual major in human development and family science and in psychology. “I honestly could stay forever, so if you are thinking about applying, do it!”
The A. Sophie Rogers School also partners with Ohio State’s College of Social Work. Undergraduates working toward their Bachelor of Science in Social Work can obtain an internship at the school, which offers them opportunities to support the school’s outreach and engagement with the families of the children who attend.
In addition, these social work students also help families connect with resources to assist with housing, food and other necessities.
Each semester, Ohio State undergraduates pursue their interests in understanding how young children learn by participating in a variety of opportunities at the Crane and Schoenbaum Family centers.
The enhancement of college coursework through research and experience enriches students’ preparation for their future careers. It is another example of how Ohio State fulfills its land-grant mission to connect learning with real-world needs.
Opportunities for undergraduates interested in participating in Crane research can be found in the listings on the website of Ohio State’s Office of Academic Enrichment. Undergraduates in the College of Education and Human Ecology can also participate in Crane research through the Dean’s Undergraduate Research Initiative. In addition, undergraduates can contact Rebecca Dore, PhD, Crane’s director of research, for more information about research opportunities at Crane.
