Student research was a critical component of his grant requests, by design. Martin values student participation for several reasons. First, he says, students are extremely capable, and secondly, the opportunity to do research can be a life-changing experience. In particular, undergraduates, who often don't get much research before beginning their graduate work, find this setting an ideal testing ground to consider an advanced research-based degree. They're often able to conduct the first research on a new project while graduate and postdoctoral research staff are being hired.
Students agree that the experience adds another dimension to their engineering studies.
I've participated in conferences, which have definitely prepared me for the future. But most of all, the experience has helped me decide that I definitely want to do research when I graduate.