Book Review--A Guide to Course-Based Undergraduate Research: Developing and Implementing CUREs in the Natural Sciences

Bangera, Gita

doi:10.18833/spur/5/1/2

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Higher education should be employing interventions, such as CUREs, that reliably counter the steady loss of good students from STEM. One research group estimated that if every undergraduate in the United States could take a CURE, an estimated 200,000 more students would graduate college in STEM fields each year (Dolan & Weaver, 2021). Considering that several CUREs have been rigorously studied, optimized, and disseminated, there are diverse, validated choices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To take advantage of the many pedagogical and inclusive features of CUREs, Tiny Earth embodies the six hallmarks of a CURE: scientific research, iteration, ownership, relevance, discovery, and dissemination (Dolan & Weaver, 2021). Students choose their own soil, growth media, and research questions; engage in replicated, hypothesis-driven research; discover antibiotic-producing bacteria from soil; and communicate their research findings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Tiny Earth CURE improves student persistence in science

Miller,

Aldana,

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) enhance student retention in STEM, particularly among students who belong to historically excluded communities. Yet the mechanisms by which CUREs contribute to student integration and persistence are poorly understood. Utilizing the Tripartite Integration Model of Social Influence (TIMSI), this longitudinal study examines how Tiny Earth, an antibiotic-discovery CURE, impacts student scientific self-efficacy, scientific identity, endorsement of scientific community values, and intentions to persist in science. The study also explores how gains in TIMSI factors vary as a function of student demographics and course characteristics. Results of pre- and post-course measurements show that scientific self-efficacy and identity increased among students in Tiny Earth, and some student demographics and course characteristics moderated these gains. Gains in scientific self-efficacy, identity, and values correlated with gains in persistence intentions, but student demographics and course characteristics did not. Results of this study show that the Tiny Earth CURE enhanced student integration into the scientific community, which was linked to intentions of students of both historically underrepresented and majority groups to persist in STEM. We discuss how courses that provide opportunity to learn science skills in the context of a CURE can contribute toward enlarging and diversifying the STEM workforce.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tiny Earth CURE improves student persistence in science

Miller,

Aldana,

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As an inclusive research experience has been accepted as an important element in predicting career success for our undergraduate student [1][2][3], Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) add tremendous value to BMB education [3,25]. Here, we describe a CURE module using the molecular cloning technique.…”

Section: Conclusion/future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

CUR(E)ating a New Approach to Study Fungal Effectors and Enhance Undergraduate Education through Authentic Research

McWiliams

Rodrigues

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) integrate active, discovery-based learning into undergraduate curriculums, adding tremendous value to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) education. There are multiple challenges in transforming a research project into a CURE, such as the readiness of students, the time commitment of the instructor, and the productivity of the research. In this article, we report a CURE course developed and offered in the University of Massachusetts Amherst BMB Department since 2018 that addresses these challenges. Our CURE focuses on fungal effectors which are proteins secreted by a destructive pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum, one of the top five most devastating plant pathogens. By studying this group of proteins, students are connected to real-world problems and participate in the search for potential solutions. A three-week "standard Bootcamp" is implemented to help students familiarize themselves with all basic techniques and boost their confidence. Next, molecular cloning, a versatile technique with modularity and repeatability, is used as the bedrock of the course. Our past five years of experience have confirmed that we have developed a novel and feasible CURE protocol. Measurable progress documented by students who took this course includes stimulated active learning and increased career trajectory to pursue hypothesis-based research to address societal needs. In addition, data generated through the course advance ongoing lab research. Collectively, we encourage the implementation of CURE among research-intensive faculty to provide a more inclusive research experience to all students, an important element in predicting career success.

show abstract

“…As an inclusive research experience has been accepted as an important element in predicting career success for our undergraduate student, [1][2][3] Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) add tremendous value to BMB education. 3,25 Here, we describe a CURE module using the molecular cloning technique. This commonly used BMB technique is repeatable and can be standalone or integrated with more functional characterization assays, making the design versatile and adaptable.…”

Section: Conclusion/future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As an inclusive research experience has been accepted as an important element in predicting career success for our undergraduate student, 1–3 Course‐based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) add tremendous value to BMB education 3,25 . Here, we describe a CURE module using the molecular cloning technique.…”

Section: Conclusion/future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

CUR(E)ating a new approach to study fungal effectors and enhance undergraduate education through authentic research

Li,

McWilliams,

Rodrigues

et al. 2023

Biochem Molecular Bio Educ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Course‐based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) integrate active, discovery‐based learning into undergraduate curricula, adding tremendous value to Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) education. There are multiple challenges in transforming a research project into a CURE, such as the readiness of students, the time commitment of the instructor, and the productivity of the research. In this article, we report a CURE course developed and offered in the University of Massachusetts Amherst BMB Department since 2018 that addresses these challenges. Our CURE focuses on fungal effectors which are proteins secreted by a destructive pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum, one of the top five most devastating plant pathogens. By studying this group of proteins, students are connected to real‐world problems and participate in the search for potential solutions. A 3‐week “standard Boot Camp” is implemented to help students familiarize themselves with all basic techniques and boost their confidence. Next, molecular cloning, a versatile technique with modularity and repeatability, is used as the bedrock of the course. Our past 5 years of experience have confirmed that we have developed a novel and feasible CURE protocol. Measurable progress documented by students who took this course includes stimulated active learning and increased career trajectory to pursue hypothesis‐based research to address societal needs. In addition, data generated through the course advance ongoing lab research. Collectively, we encourage the implementation of CURE among research‐intensive faculty to provide a more inclusive research experience to undergraduate students, an important element in predicting career success.

show abstract

Book Review--A Guide to Course-Based Undergraduate Research: Developing and Implementing CUREs in the Natural Sciences

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Tiny Earth CURE improves student persistence in science

Tiny Earth CURE improves student persistence in science

CUR(E)ating a New Approach to Study Fungal Effectors and Enhance Undergraduate Education through Authentic Research

CUR(E)ating a new approach to study fungal effectors and enhance undergraduate education through authentic research

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About