Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) are research projects embedded directly into college courses, allowing all students to engage in authentic cientific investigation as part of their regular curriculum. Unlike traditional research models, where only a few students work closely with faculty mentors, CUREs democratize access by offering hands-on research opportunities to entire classes. These projects typically involve forming hypotheses, collecting and analyzing real data, and presenting findings, giving students a genuine experience of the scientific process. CUREs are shown to improve academic performance, scientific reasoning, and confidence among STEM and non-STEM students alike (Appel et al., 2024; Buffalari et al., 2020). In particular, they enhance communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills (Petrella & Jung, 2008; Teter, 2023). These benefits are especially impactful for first-generation college students and underrepresented groups, promoting equity and inclusion in STEM fields (Miller et al., 2023; Brew & Saunders, 2023). In STEM education specifically, undergraduate research experiences have been linked to increased scientific identity, greater career readiness, and long-term engagement in the field (Trott et al., 2019; Okochi et al., 2023).
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Title
CURE-Based Learning in STEM Education
Resource Type
Poster
Event
Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 08/2025)
Contributors
Emily Harris (Faculty Mentor)
Publisher
University of West Florida Libraries; Argo Scholar Commons
Format
pdf
Copyright
Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries by the author to digitize and/or display this information for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
Identifiers
99381555074406600
Academic Unit
Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2025; Earth and Environmental Sciences; Division of Academic Affairs; Office of Undergraduate Research