Building Skills for and Implementing Course Based Undergraduate Research
Experiences (CUREs) across an Environmental Studies Curriculum
Abstract
Course Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) are an effective
method of teaching students not only content, but also critical
thinking, scientific practice, and other skills beneficial to their
education and success. They lower the barrier to participation in
undergraduate research, thereby increasing access to entry. Thus, CUREs
are especially valuable to under-performing students as they are an
effective means of bridging the achievement gap. Due to the value and
effectiveness of CUREs in student development, Lynn University has
implemented a means by which students are exposed to CUREs and skills
necessary to complete a CURE throughout the Environmental Studies major
curriculum. This presentation will give a description of the curriculum
and how CUREs and CURE-required skills are taught throughout the
curriculum culminating in a fully independent capstone research project.