scholarly journals Interdisciplinary Training in Mathematical Biology through Team-based Undergraduate Research and Courses

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason E. Miller ◽  
Timothy Walston
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Biology ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
State University ◽  
Interdisciplinary Training ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Research Collaborations ◽  
Mathematics Program ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Interdisciplinary Courses

Inspired by BIO2010 and leveraging institutional and external funding, Truman State University built an undergraduate program in mathematical biology with high-quality, faculty-mentored interdisciplinary research experiences at its core. These experiences taught faculty and students to bridge the epistemological gap between the mathematical and life sciences. Together they created the infrastructure that currently supports several interdisciplinary courses, an innovative minor degree, and long-term interdepartmental research collaborations. This article describes how the program was built with support from the National Science Foundation's Interdisciplinary Training for Undergraduates in Biology and Mathematics program, and it shares lessons learned that will help other undergraduate institutions build their own program.

scholarly journals Lessons Learned from a Virtual Summer Undergraduate Research Program

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-77
Author(s):  
Karen Yokley ◽  
◽  
Nicholas Luke ◽  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Mathematical Biology ◽  
National Science Foundation ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
State University ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Undergraduate Research Program ◽  
National Science ◽  
T State

In summer 2020, North Carolina A&T State University and Elon University were poised to debut their Research Experiences for Undergraduates program in mathematical biology funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The directors decided to hold the program virtually so that students would have the opportunity. Although the directors did not have experience running a virtual program, they learned from the experience and have recommendations for program directors in similar situations.

scholarly journals Student music stimuli composition in a scaffolded course-based undergraduate research experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-32
Author(s):  
Abbey L. Dvorak ◽  
Eugenia Hernandez-Ruiz ◽  
Halle Nick ◽  
Ruowen Qi ◽  
Celeste Alderete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Music Therapy ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Teaching Model ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Graduate Assistants ◽  
Undergraduate Research Experiences

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE) allow students opportunities to develop research skills. In a scaffolded CURE, music therapy and music education students composed, evaluated, and selected the music stimuli used in a music and mindfulness study with non-musicians at Site 1 and musicians at Site 2. The purposes of this paper are to (a) describe the process of student music stimuli composition and evaluation for use in a course-based undergraduate research experience and (b) identify benefits, challenges, and lessons learned from the viewpoints of students, graduate assistants, and faculty who participated in the multi-site study. Eight students, two graduate assistants, and two faculty provide an overview of the CURE teaching model and assignments, and share first-person accounts of their experiences participating in this CURE.  

Undergraduate Images of Research + Arts Competition: Lessons Learned and Future Directions

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-46
Author(s):  
Lorraine S. Wallace ◽  
◽  
Mikafui Dzotsi ◽  
Kayla Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ohio State University ◽  
State University ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
The Ohio State University ◽  
Creative Inquiry

In 2018, the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry (UR&CI) at The Ohio State University (OSU) established an Images of Research + Arts (IR+A) Competition for undergraduates to capture and share the essence of their research in a unique and visually stimulating format (UR&CI 2020). This vignette describes the process, lessons learned, and future directions of the IR+A Competition.

Enhancing Diversity in STEM Interdisciplinary Learning

2015 ◽  
pp. 997-1019
Author(s):  
Reginald A. Blake ◽  
Janet Liou-Mark
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
Real World ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Stem Disciplines ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Diversity In Stem

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines have traditionally been woefully unsuccessful in attracting, retaining, and graduating acceptable numbers of Underrepresented Minorities (URMs). A new paradigm of STEM practices is needed to address this vexing problem. This chapter highlights a novel interdisciplinary approach to STEM education. Instead of being siloed and mired in their respective STEM disciplines, students integrate real world, inquiry-based learning that is underpinned by a strong foundation in mathematics and a myriad of other pillars of STEM activities. These activities include Peer-Assisted Learning Workshops, Mentoring Programs, Undergraduate Research Experiences, STEM Exposure Trips, Conference Participation, and Peer Leadership. This strategy enhances STEM education among URMs by purposefully connecting and integrating knowledge and skills from across the STEM disciplines to solve real-world problems, by synthesizing and transferring knowledge across disciplinary boundaries, and by building critical thinking skills in a manner that is relevant to their experiences and yet transformative.

scholarly journals “Where’s My Mentor?!” Characterizing Negative Mentoring Experiences in Undergraduate Life Science Research

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. ar61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa B. Limeri ◽  
Muhammad Zaka Asif ◽  
Benjamin H. T. Bridges ◽  
David Esparza ◽  
Trevor T. Tuma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Science ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Career Support ◽  
Abuse Of Power ◽  
Unequal Treatment ◽  
And Mathematics

Undergraduate research experiences in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields are championed for promoting students’ personal and professional development. Mentorship is an integral part of undergraduate research, as effective mentorship maximizes the benefits undergraduates realize from participating in research. Yet almost no research examines instances in which mentoring is less effective or even problematic, even though prior research on mentoring in workplace settings suggests negative mentoring experiences are common. Here, we report the results of a qualitative study to define and characterize negative mentoring experiences of undergraduate life science researchers. Undergraduate researchers in our study reported seven major ways they experienced negative mentoring: absenteeism, abuse of power, interpersonal mismatch, lack of career support, lack of psychosocial support, misaligned expectations, and unequal treatment. They described some of these experiences as the result of absence of positive mentoring behavior and others as actively harmful behavior, both of which they perceive as detrimental to their psychosocial and career development. Our results are useful to mentors for reflecting on ways their behaviors might be perceived as harmful or unhelpful. These findings can also serve as a foundation for future research aimed at examining the prevalence and impact of negative mentoring experiences in undergraduate research.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Internal Dispositions and Career Trajectories after Collaborative versus Apprenticed Research Experiences for Undergraduates

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. ar1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle J. Frantz ◽  
Melissa K. Demetrikopoulos ◽  
Shari L. Britner ◽  
Laura L. Carruth ◽  
Brian A. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Stem Careers ◽  
Science Anxiety ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Institutional Settings ◽  
Career Trajectories ◽  
Active Research ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Faculty Mentors ◽  
Summer Research Program

Undergraduate research experiences confer benefits on students bound for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, but the low number of research professionals available to serve as mentors often limits access to research. Within the context of our summer research program (BRAIN), we tested the hypothesis that a team-based collaborative learning model (CLM) produces student outcomes at least as positive as a traditional apprenticeship model (AM). Through stratified, random assignment to conditions, CLM students were designated to work together in a teaching laboratory to conduct research according to a defined curriculum led by several instructors, whereas AM students were paired with mentors in active research groups. We used pre-, mid-, and postprogram surveys to measure internal dispositions reported to predict progress toward STEM careers, such as scientific research self-efficacy, science identity, science anxiety, and commitment to a science career. We are also tracking long-term retention in science-related career paths. For both short- and longer-term outcomes, the two program formats produced similar benefits, supporting our hypothesis that the CLM provides positive outcomes while conserving resources, such as faculty mentors. We discuss this method in comparison with course-based undergraduate research and recommend its expansion to institutional settings in which mentor resources are scarce.

scholarly journals Early Engagement in Course-Based Research Increases Graduation Rates and Completion of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Degrees

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. ar20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacia E. Rodenbusch ◽  
Paul R. Hernandez ◽  
Sarah L. Simmons ◽  
Erin L. Dolan
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Biology Education ◽  
First Year ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Stem Major ◽  
Research Initiative ◽  
And Mathematics

National efforts to transform undergraduate biology education call for research experiences to be an integral component of learning for all students. Course-based undergraduate research experiences, or CUREs, have been championed for engaging students in research at a scale that is not possible through apprenticeships in faculty research laboratories. Yet there are few if any studies that examine the long-term effects of participating in CUREs on desired student outcomes, such as graduating from college and completing a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) major. One CURE program, the Freshman Research Initiative (FRI), has engaged thousands of first-year undergraduates over the past decade. Using propensity score–matching to control for student-level differences, we tested the effect of participating in FRI on students’ probability of graduating with a STEM degree, probability of graduating within 6 yr, and grade point average (GPA) at graduation. Students who completed all three semesters of FRI were significantly more likely than their non-FRI peers to earn a STEM degree and graduate within 6 yr. FRI had no significant effect on students’ GPAs at graduation. The effects were similar for diverse students. These results provide the most robust and best-controlled evidence to date to support calls for early involvement of undergraduates in research.

scholarly journals Integrative Approach for a Transformative Freshman-Level STEM Curriculum

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm J. D’Souza ◽  
Kathleen L. Curran ◽  
Paul E. Olsen ◽  
Agashi P. Nwogbaga ◽  
Stephanie Stotts
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Change ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Student Centered Learning ◽  
Stem Majors ◽  
Integrated Concept ◽  
And Mathematics

In 2014 Wesley College adopted a unified undergraduate program of evidence-based high-impact teaching practices. Through foundation and federal and state grant support, the college completely revised its academic core curriculum and strengthened its academic support structures by including a comprehensive early alert system for at-risk students. In this core, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty developed fresh manifestations of integrated concept-based introductory courses and revised upper-division STEM courses around student-centered learning. STEM majors can participate in specifically designed paid undergraduate research experiences in directed research elective courses. Such a college-wide multi-tiered approach results in institutional cultural change.

A Six-Year Review of the Biomedical Engineering in Simulations, Imaging, and Modeling Undergraduate Research Experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M. George ◽  
Zachary J. Domire
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Biomedical Engineering ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Motivating Factors ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Summer Research Program ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Undergraduate research continues to serve as an effective strategy for mitigating the effects of a leaky pipeline. Significant funding from institutions and government agencies has increased the number of students participating in undergraduate research. In this paper, we report on the six-year experience of a National Science Foundation funded Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site: Biomedical Engineering in Simulations, Imaging, and Modeling (BME-SIM). The operation and evaluation of the program are both described. We report on the results from 55 students over six summers from 2014 to 2019. Our program was successful in attracting a diverse group of participants including 46% under-represented minority students and 53% women. Based on evaluation results, students reported significant gains in technical skills, communication skills, and knowledge of graduate school. Our findings indicate baseline gender differences for several learning outcomes, where women and nonbinary students report lower levels of mastery. These gaps are closed by the end of the program except for confidence in skills, which is still significantly lower than those reported by male counterparts. The impact of the experience on ultimate career path is difficult to determine due to underlying biases and other motivating factors; however, 67.6% of graduates have entered graduate programs. Finally, we have provided lessons learned for those who are interested in building a summer research program. In conclusion, we have described the successful implementation of an REU site and the positive learning outcomes of the student participants.

scholarly journals Principles and Practices Fostering Inclusive Excellence: Lessons from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Capstone Institutions

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. ar44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Marten DiBartolo ◽  
Leslie Gregg-Jolly ◽  
Deborah Gross ◽  
Cathryn A. Manduca ◽  
Ellen Iverson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Mentoring Programs ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Bridge Programs ◽  
Inclusive Excellence ◽  
Student Profiles ◽  
Stem Students ◽  
Institutional Contexts ◽  
And Mathematics

Best-practices pedagogy in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) aims for inclusive excellence that fosters student persistence. This paper describes principles of inclusivity across 11 primarily undergraduate institutions designated as Capstone Awardees in Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s (HHMI) 2012 competition. The Capstones represent a range of institutional missions, student profiles, and geographical locations. Each successfully directed activities toward persistence of STEM students, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups, through a set of common elements: mentoring programs to build community; research experiences to strengthen scientific skill/identity; attention to quantitative skills; and outreach/bridge programs to broaden the student pool. This paper grounds these program elements in learning theory, emphasizing their essential principles with examples of how they were implemented within institutional contexts. We also describe common assessment approaches that in many cases informed programming and created traction for stakeholder buy-in. The lessons learned from our shared experiences in pursuit of inclusive excellence, including the resources housed on our companion website, can inform others’ efforts to increase access to and persistence in STEM in higher education.

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