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Poster
The Ripple Effect: Research in General Education
University of West Florida Libraries
Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 08/2025)
08/2025
Abstract
Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) integrate real-world research into classroom learning. While they are known to improve student outcomes in STEM fields, their impact on general education courses such as Introduction to Earth Science (ESC 2000) is less understood. These courses aim to build critical thinking and foundational skills, but students often see them as unrelated to their academic or career goals. Previous studies have shown that CUREs can increase student engagement, enhance scientific literacy, and promote a sense of belonging in STEM (Auchincloss et al., 2014; Brownell & Kloser, 2015). They are also associated with improved research skills, confidence, and persistence in science-related disciplines (Bangera & Brownell, 2014). However, most of this research has focused on upper-level STEM majors. There is limited data on how CUREs affect students in general education settings, particularly those who do not identify with science as part of their future goals (Cooper et al., 2019). This study explores whether participating in CUREs increases student engagement, motivation, and confidence in general education, and whether it helps students see greater relevance in these foundational courses.
Details
- Title
- The Ripple Effect: Research in General 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
- 99381555074106600
- Academic Unit
- Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2025; Earth and Environmental Sciences; Division of Academic Affairs; Office of Undergraduate Research
- Language
- English