Targeted Infusion Project: Curricular Innovation of Microbiology and Genetics Laboratories - New Strategies for Biology Student Success

历史上的黑人学院和大学本科项目（HBCU- up）通过有针对性的输液项目支持基于证据的创新模式和方法的开发、实施和研究，以提高HBCU本科生的准备和成功，使他们可以追求科学、技术、工程或数学（STEM）研究生课程和/或职业。奥克伍德学院的这个项目旨在创建一个可转移的模式，以增加低年级课程中STEM的入学率，并更有效地留住和引导传统上代表性不足的学生进入STEM学位课程和职业生涯。具体而言，两门本科生物学实验课程将进行课程改进，并实施教学干预，以整合创新的微生物宿主相互作用和分子遗传学研究。提出的项目假设，对实验课程的创新研究将通过以下方式提高奥克伍德学院本科STEM教育的质量：(1)提高学生的批判性思维和科学推理能力；(2)提高生物专业的留校率和四年制毕业率；(3)增强本科生考研竞争力。总体方法将分四个阶段实施：(1)研究夏季桥梁，(2)普通微生物实验室的研究经验，(3)遗传学实验室的研究经验，以及(4)同行研究领导力发展（夏季和学年）和研究传播。该项目有可能在两个主要的过渡点对STEM领域代表性不足的学生的保留和招聘产生积极影响。首先，它可以改善本科生的研究体验，展示生物科学的相关性和适用性。其次，它将提供实践的、基于问题的学习经验，这可能会提高本科生研究人员在STEM职业和研究生学习方面的竞争力。预计该项目将证明两个目标实验课程对提高学生生物科学相关学习的有效性，并提供证据基础，证明这种方法在本科教育中是否可行和有效。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，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。

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) through Targeted Infusion Projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of HBCU undergraduate students so that they may pursue science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) graduate programs and/or careers. The project at Oakwood College seeks to create a transferable model for growing STEM enrollment in lower division coursework and to, more effectively, retain and guide traditionally underrepresented students into STEM degree programs and careers. Specifically, two undergraduate Biology laboratory courses will undergo curricular enhancements and implement pedagogical interventions to integrate innovative microbial host-interaction and molecular genetics research. The proposed project hypothesizes that innovative research into the laboratory curricula will improve the quality of undergraduate STEM education at Oakwood College by: (1) improving students’ critical-thinking and scientific reasoning skills; (2) increasing retention and 4-year completion rates of biology majors; and (3) bolstering the competitiveness of undergraduate students for graduate school. The overall approach will be implemented in four phases: (1) research summer bridge, (2) research experiences in General Microbiology laboratory, (3) research experiences in Genetics laboratory, and (4), peer research leadership development (summer and academic year) and research dissemination. This project has the potential to positively impact the retention and recruitment of underrepresented students in STEM fields at two major transition points. First, it may improve the research experience for undergraduates demonstrating the relevance and applicability of biological sciences. Secondly, it will provide hands-on, problem-based learning experiences that may lead to increased competitiveness for undergraduate student researchers for STEM careers and graduate studies. It is anticipated that the project will demonstrate the efficacy of the two targeted lab courses for improving student learning related to biological sciences and provide an evidence base demonstrating whether this approach is feasible and effective in undergraduate education.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.