Expanding Scientific Opportunity with a Digital Course Based Undergraduate Research Experience: Development and Evaluation

该项目旨在通过使用定量方法开发，实施和评估植物生物学数字课程本科研究经验模块，扩大学生通过研究学习的机会，从而为国家利益服务。该项目将通过扩展数字环境中使用的材料来增加实验植物生物学基础和高级课程的研究经验。大量的证据表明，在本科生参与研究的过程中，学生有助于新的知识发现增加学生的学习，科学自我效能感，并坚持在干。基于数字课程的本科生研究经验（CURE）已成功用于基因组序列数据，这个新项目将把这些方法引入其他生物学子学科。该项目将建立在现有的活植物研究和教育计划的基础上，解决生物学中的一个重大挑战-基因和性状之间的联系。在基于课程的研究模块中，学生将通过使用数字化工具测量照片中的植物性状来研究植物对遗传变化和环境处理的反应。该项目旨在促进我们对学生在定量和植物生物学方面的学习成果的理解，并从这种新的数字课程方法中确定科学家的身份。通过这个项目，预计学生的学习收益和植物生物学发现的好处，以及更多学生在广泛的机构类型中获得定量生物学研究经验的扩展。该项目的目标是：1）设计，修改和策划植物生物学和数据科学材料，用于定量生物学素养和学习，通过在生态遗传实验中使用植物的数字图像，通过调整数字环境中的个人CURE，2）通过年度研讨会和Slack通信提供与学生学习模块相关的教师发展和专业网络机会，（3）采用定性和定量相结合的方法对数字化CURE的教与学进行评价。该项目将以新颖的方式调整摄影和植物科学技术，使学生可以通过使用数字方法收集性状数据进行观察，以促进发现。新的CURE教学材料将包括视频，网络材料，实验植物的数字图像，以及数据分析和数据通信工具。该项目将让公立和私立学院，包括少数群体服务机构的教员和学生参加基础和高级课程。教师和学生将跨校园合作，并通过他们的发现贡献新的发现。为了评估项目的目标，计划的评估将使用学生焦点小组（定性）和调查方法（定量）之前和之后的每门课程提供形成性和总结性评估。评估还将包括教师重点小组，这将通知和扩大知识的课程为基础的方法。每年的教师发展讲习班将有助于支持采用这一新的课程，建立网络和支持致力于创新教学法的教师。这个项目将增加我们对教师在研讨会和迭代课程开发之后的教学收益的了解。该项目的成果将扩大学生在实验室空间有限的机构环境中进行实验研究的机会，并在数据管理，数据显示和数据通信方面培养可转移的STEM研究技能。NSF IUSE：EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。 该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by expanding student opportunities for learning through research by developing, implementing and evaluating a digital course-based undergraduate research experience module in plant biology using quantitative methods. This project will increase research experiences in foundational and upper division courses in experimental plant biology by expanding materials for use in a digital environment. Substantial evidence indicates that participation in undergraduate research in a course where students contribute to new knowledge discovery increases student learning, science self-efficacy, and persistence in STEM. Digital course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) has been successfully utilized for genomic sequence data, and this new project will introduce these methods to other biology sub-disciplines. This project will build on an existing live plant research and education program that addresses a grand challenge in biology – the link between genes and traits. In the course-based research module, students will study variation among plants in their response to genetic changes and environmental treatments by measuring plant traits from photographs using digital tools. This project aims to advance our understanding of student learning gains in quantitative and plant biology, and identity as scientists from this new digital curricular approach. Significant student learning gains, and plant biology discoveries benefits are expected through this project, as well as the expansion of access to quantitative biology research experience by more students in a broad range of institutional types. The goals of this project are to: 1) design, modify, and curate plant biology and data science materials for quantitative biology literacy and learning via a CURE using digital images of plants in an ecological genetic experiment by adapting an in-person CURE for the digital environment, 2) provide faculty development and professional networking opportunities associated with student learning modules through yearly workshops and Slack communication, and 3) evaluate teaching and learning for a digital CURE using qualitative and quantitative methods. The project will adapt photography and plant science techniques in novel ways such that students can make observations to facilitate discoveries by collecting trait data using digital approaches. The novel CURE instructional materials will include videos, web materials, digital images of experimental plants, and tools for data analysis and data communication. The project will involve faculty instructors and students from public, private colleges, including minority-serving institutions, in foundational and upper division courses. Faculty and students will collaborate across campuses and contribute novel discoveries through their findings. To evaluate the goals of the project, the planned evaluation will use student focus group (qualitative) and survey methodologies (quantitative) prior to and after each course offering for formative and summative evaluation. Evaluation will also include faculty focus groups which will inform and expand knowledge on the course-based approaches. Yearly faculty development workshops will contribute to support for adoption of this new curriculum, networking and support among instructors committed to innovative pedagogy. This project will add to our knowledge of faculty instructional gains following workshops and iterative course development. Results of this project will expand student access to experimental research in courses in institutional settings with limited laboratory space, and develop transferable STEM research skills in data management, data display and data communication. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through the Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.