Author(s):
Team or Convergent Science is research conducted by more than one individual in an interdependent fashion, including research conducted by small teams and larger scientific groups. One of the NSF 10 Big Ideas is Growing Convergent Researchers to foster the collaborations needed to solve complex global challenges. At the undergraduate level, however, students majoring in science and the related STEM disciplines rarely enabled to take part in authentic research activities as part of a science team. Integration of team-based research opportunities in our academic programs is helping students to develop team science competencies enabling a deeper conceptual understanding of topics and methods to solve problems within and across disciplines (knowledge), while simultaneously being trained in skills that support inclusion of different perspectives (attitudes) and capabilities for teamwork (skills). Team science training is embedded in course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) at a regional, R2 university in biology, chemistry, geology, and environmental engineering. Team science training includes content delivery (e.g., fundamentals of team science, effective team communication, and conflict resolution strategies) and development of team communication and research plans. Results from a mixed-methods approach that includes data from a team science competency survey, student written descriptions of a research team, and social network analysis.
Coauthors
Fiona Freeland, freelandf22@students.ecu.edu
