Tapping the Power of Student Choice & Design: A Course Theme Designed to Promote Creative, Collaborative Undergraduate Research Experiences

Session Format

Poster Session (60 minutes)

Location

Holiday Inn

Second Time and Location

Friday, March 4 from 1:10-1:40 p.m. at the Nessmith-Lane Conference Center

Abstract for the conference program

Providing authentic research experiences embedded into curricula is a popular vehicle for increasing research accessibility for STEM majors at colleges and universities. Several models involve students investigating microbes in specified contexts. Here we describe a course design which provides students great flexibility in selecting their research focus within the broad area of microbial ecology. This course is a special theme within a regular offering that aims to provide upper level undergraduates an experience which will prepare them for pursuing STEM careers. Students will immerse in the collaborative nature of real world research within instructor designated groups of 3-4 and will practice communicating effectively both orally and in writing. We will share and discuss our plan of implementation, as well as preliminary successes, shortcomings and, student feedback in an effort to provide a model for developing similar courses, especially where independent research opportunities are limited.

Proposal Track

Research Project

Start Date

3-3-2016 7:00 PM

End Date

3-3-2016 9:00 PM

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Mar 3rd, 7:00 PM Mar 3rd, 9:00 PM

Tapping the Power of Student Choice & Design: A Course Theme Designed to Promote Creative, Collaborative Undergraduate Research Experiences

Holiday Inn

Providing authentic research experiences embedded into curricula is a popular vehicle for increasing research accessibility for STEM majors at colleges and universities. Several models involve students investigating microbes in specified contexts. Here we describe a course design which provides students great flexibility in selecting their research focus within the broad area of microbial ecology. This course is a special theme within a regular offering that aims to provide upper level undergraduates an experience which will prepare them for pursuing STEM careers. Students will immerse in the collaborative nature of real world research within instructor designated groups of 3-4 and will practice communicating effectively both orally and in writing. We will share and discuss our plan of implementation, as well as preliminary successes, shortcomings and, student feedback in an effort to provide a model for developing similar courses, especially where independent research opportunities are limited.