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Traditional education often lacks some of the several key components critically important in preparation for scientific careers: (A) interdisciplinary coursework; (B) international, national laboratory, and industrial research perspectives; (C) hands-on experience of using state of the art equipment; (D) participation in conferences; (E) co-advising and outreach opportunities. These components are key to prepare young scientists to competently and confidently tackle the unknown in advancing science as independent researchers. I have designed my research/education program to provide all of these educational aspects. Under my supervision, undergraduates work with postdocs, visitors, & PhD students in project teams within my group, thus achieving ambitious research & education goals at the same time. Providing research experience to undergraduates is achieved along with the graduate students and postdocs gaining the experience of being co-mentors, thus perfecting their pedagogical/educational skills. The tabletop nature of soft matter research is such that students can be trained to use state of the art equipment and make significant contributions within a relatively short period of time. These students get exposed to the richness of fundamental physics phenomena in soft matter and learn about applications, strengthening their interest in sciences. Almost 50 undergraduates have researched in my laboratory. Students from the group have received international travel grants and scholarships, best paper awards from SPIE, National Society of Black Physicists, National Society of Hispanic Physicists, scientific picture of the month awards of ILCS, etc.