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、实施和评估基于数字课程的植物生物学本科生研究体验模块，通过扩大学生通过研究学习的机会来服务于国家利益。这个项目将通过扩大在数字环境中使用的材料来增加实验植物生物学基础课程和高级课程的研究经验。大量证据表明，在学生为新知识发现做出贡献的课程中，参与本科生研究可以提高学生的学习能力、科学自我效能感和在STEM中的坚持性。基于数字课程的本科生研究经验(CURE)已经成功地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。这个项目将建立在现有的活植物研究和教育计划的基础上，该计划解决了生物学中的一个重大挑战--基因和性状之间的联系。在以课程为基础的研究模块中，学生将通过使用数字工具测量照片中的植物特征，研究植物对遗传变化和环境处理的反应中的差异。这个项目旨在促进我们对学生在数量和植物生物学方面的学习收获的理解，并通过这种新的数字课程方法来认同科学家的身份。通过这一项目，预计将有更多的学生在学习上获得巨大的收获，植物生物学的发现也将从中受益，更多的学生将在各种机构类型中扩大获得定量生物学研究经验的机会。这个项目的目标是：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通过CURE通过CURE进行学习，方法是在生态遗传实验中使用植物的数字图像，使其适应数字环境；2)通过年度研讨会和Slack交流，提供与学生学习模块相关的教师发展和专业网络机会；以及3)使用定性和定量方法评估数字CURE的教与学。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特征数据来进行观察，以促进发现。新的固化教学材料将包括视频、网络材料、实验植物的数字图像以及用于数据分析和数据通信的工具。该项目将让教师教师和来自公立、私立大学(包括为少数族裔服务的机构)的学生参加基础课程和高级课程。教师和学生将在校园内合作，并通过他们的发现贡献新的发现。为了评估项目的目标，计划中的评估将在每次课程提供之前和之后使用学生焦点小组(定性)和调查方法(定量)进行形成性和终结性评估。评估还将包括教师焦点小组，他们将告知和扩大基于课程的方法的知识。一年一度的教师发展研讨会将有助于支持采用这一新课程，建立网络，并在致力于创新教学的教师中提供支持。这个项目将在研讨会和迭代课程开发之后增加我们对教师教学成果的了解。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课程实验研究的机会，并培养可移植的STEM数据管理、数据展示和数据通信方面的研究技能。NSF IUSE：EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生的STEM教育的有效性。通过参与的学生学习路径，该计划支持有前景的实践和工具的创建、探索和实施。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.