Enhancing Undergraduate Education in Botany through Teaching, Research, Representation, and Experience

该项目旨在通过提高大学生对植物的认识和专业准备，为未来从事植物科学的职业生涯服务于国家利益。要面对许多具有国家和全球意义的问题（例如，粮食安全、栖息地保护、减缓气候变化、生物多样性危机以及人类心理健康和福祉），需要在植物生物学方面有坚实的知识基础。尽管植物生物学具有压倒性的适用性，但自20世纪中期以来，植物学的专业和教育培训一直在下降。该项目旨在振兴老道明大学（ODU）的植物生物学，这是一所少数民族服务机构。该项目将加强课程设置，提高学生的参与度和代表性，并通过量身定制的指导、专业发展和研究经验，为学生的个性化未来做好准备。通过这些行动，本项目旨在使学生在植物生物学课程、研究经历和毕业后的职业生涯方面取得重大进展。此外，该项目有可能增加ODU植物生物学课程的多样性。在本项目中，将采用一种整合的方法在生物系内进行本科植物生物学培训。这种方法将强调所有学术水平的体验式学习机会。该项目建立在传统课程改革的基础上，通过形成一个以植物生物学为重点的影响学习社区，提供专业发展机会，并为学生提供指导。项目的定期评估和学生调查将有助于确定体验式学习活动的有效性，以促进学生在植物生物学方面的积极成果。该项目的最终目标是增加学生在老道明大学的植物生物学课程和研究经验中的机会、参与度和代表性，从而增强未来植物专业人员的知识、技能和信心。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。通过参与学生学习轨道，该计划支持有前途的实践和工具的创建，探索和实施。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。

This project aims to serve the national interest by increasing plant awareness and professional preparedness among undergraduate students for future careers in botanical sciences. A strong knowledge foundation in plant biology is needed to confront numerous issues of national and global significance (e.g., food security, habitat conservation, climate change mitigation, the biodiversity crisis, and human mental health and well-being). Despite the overwhelming applicability of plant biology, professional and educational training in botany has been in decline since the mid-20th century. This project intends to reinvigorate plant biology at Old Dominion University (ODU), a minority serving institution. The project will enhance course offerings, increase student involvement and representation, and prepare students for individualized futures through tailored mentorship, professional development, and research experiences. Through these actions, this project aims to make significant advances in student recruitment to plant biology courses, research experiences, and professional careers post-graduation. Additionally, this project has potential to increase diversity in ODU’s plant biology courses.In this project, an integrated approach will be implemented for undergraduate plant biology training within a biology department. The approach will emphasize experiential learning opportunities across all academic levels. This project builds on traditional curriculum reform through the formation of an Impact Learning Community focused on plant biology, provision of professional development opportunities, and mentoring of students. Regular assessments of the program and student surveys will aid in determining the effectiveness of experiential learning activities for promoting positive student outcomes in plant biology. The ultimate goal of this project is to increase student opportunities, involvement, and representation in plant biology courses and research experiences at Old Dominion University, thus bolstering knowledge, skills, and confidence in tomorrow’s plant professionals. 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.