Author(s):
Research experiences allow undergraduate students to gain confidence in overcoming obstacles, learn the process of inquiry, and develop an identity as scientists. Unfortunately, many barriers exist for students to participate in traditional or one-on-one research experiences, including time constraints and lack of financial reimbursement. Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) provide inclusive, equitable, and authentic research experiences to students by embedding research activities in course curricula. However, few CUREs exist for field-based ecological disciplines; thus, the effects of CURE participation on student science identity in these fields is rarely evaluated. We created Squirrel-Net, a national network of field-based, mammalogy-focused CURE modules investigating the behavioral ecology of squirrels. Our modules were intentionally created to accommodate a range of course types (introductory to upper divisions for majors, and non-majors), length of time (single lab activity to semester-long investigation), and inquiry level. Students collect data with standardized protocols, input data to a shared database, and test their own hypotheses with the aggregated dataset. To date, our network spans 90 courses at 78 institutions, 293 instructors, and many thousands of students. We also evaluated the effect of participating in Squirrel-Net on students’ science identities and self-efficacy using pre- and post-CURE surveys between 2019-2022. Overall, students that participated in Squirrel-Net showed a positive shift in their self-identity as scientists, gained confidence in their research abilities, and became more interested in science career paths. We look forward to growing Squirrel-Net’s module offerings while sharing the benefits of CUREs.
