A course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) embedded within a summer undergraduate research experience demonstrates value-added benefits

Abstract

We hosted a nine-week NIH-funded summer undergraduate research experience in Environmental Health Sciences, the New College Environmental Health Science Scholars program, in which undergraduate students who were rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors receive both professional development and mentored research opportunities. In addition to this standard model of a summer research program, we added an additional professional development and skill-building activity, a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) performed by the whole group. Students designed and carried out an experiment in the CURE research project looking at the relationship between soil elemental content and sampling site location. They worked collaboratively over several days on experimental design, the experiment itself, data analysis, and finally, poster design for dissemination. The CURE is intentionally different from any mentored research experiences so that students obtain additional and varied research skills from the summer program. Qualitative and quantitative feedback was positive. Additionally, students worked with different students than those in their research lab, broadening their network. In conclusion, a CURE embedded in a summer research program is an effective pedagogical tool for science and additional skill building and enriches an existing summer research program.