Abstract Detail

Education and Outreach

Johnson, Matthew [1], Bronson, Cecily [2], Krumm, Janice [3], Jordan, Carly [4].

Expanding access to course based undergraduate research with digital natural history collections.

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have been shown to increase student learning and self-efficacy but are often difficult to implement across a variety of class types and institutions due to high cost. CUREs built using digital Natural History Collection (dNHC) data, however, are more accessible as they do not require expensive equipment, consumables, or wet lab resources. Four CUREs recently developed by the Biological Collections for Ecology and Evolution Network (BCEENET) provide students with research experience employing digitized natural history collection data. Students gain experience with data management, georeferencing, GIS, and data analysis to test hypotheses ranging from the spread of invasive species to the effects of environment on sexual selection. Due to their low costs, the BCEENET CUREs have been successfully implemented at over 30 institutions to over 1900 students, from small in-person university labs to large asynchronous introductory community college courses. Here, we outline the BCEENET CUREs, tour available resources, and describe opportunities to get involved with BCEENET.

Related Links:
BCEENET Website

1 - Texas Tech University, Biological Sciences, 2901 Main Street, Ms3131, Lubbock, TX, 79409, United States
2 - Portland State University
3 - Widener University
4 - George Washington University

Keywords:
CURE
Herbarium
museum
Curriculum
course design.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Number: EO2007
Abstract ID:591
Candidate for Awards:None