Fly-Cure, a Multi-Institutional Cure Using 'Drosophila,' Increases Students' Confidence, Sense of Belonging, and Persistence in Research
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| Title: | Fly-Cure, a Multi-Institutional Cure Using 'Drosophila,' Increases Students' Confidence, Sense of Belonging, and Persistence in Research |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Julie A. Merkle (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education. 2023 24(3). |
| Availability: | American Society for Microbiology. 1752 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-737-3600; e-mail: journals@asmusa.org; Web site: https://journals.asm.org/journal/jmbe |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 23 |
| Publication Date: | 2023 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | National Science Foundation (NSF), Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) (DHHS/NIH), Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity Initiative (BUILD) |
| Contract Number: | 2021146 UL1GM118982 TL4GM118983 RL5GM118981 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Student Research, Undergraduate Students, Hands on Science, Genetics, Test Construction, Self Efficacy, Student Attitudes, Intention, Student Characteristics, Science Laboratories, Animals |
| ISSN: | 1935-7877 1935-7885 |
| Abstract: | The Fly-CURE is a genetics-focused multi-institutional Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) that provides undergraduate students with hands-on research experiences within a course. Through the Fly-CURE, undergraduate students at diverse types of higher education institutions across the United States map and characterize novel mutants isolated from a genetic screen in "Drosophila melanogaster." To date, more than 20 mutants have been studied across 20 institutions, and our scientific data have led to eleven publications with more than 500 students as authors. To evaluate the impact of the Fly-CURE experience on students, we developed and validated assessment tools to identify students' perceived research self-efficacy, sense of belonging in science, and intent to pursue additional research opportunities. Our data, collected over three academic years and involving 14 institutions and 480 students, show gains in these metrics after completion of the Fly-CURE across all student subgroups analyzed, including comparisons of gender, academic status, racial and ethnic groups, and parents' educational background. Importantly, our data also show differential gains in the areas of self-efficacy and interest in seeking additional research opportunities between Fly-CURE students with and without prior research experience, illustrating the positive impact of research exposure (dosage) on student outcomes. Altogether, our data indicate that the Fly-CURE experience has a significant impact on students' efficacy with research methods, sense of belonging to the scientific research community, and interest in pursuing additional research experiences. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1411356 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The Fly-CURE is a genetics-focused multi-institutional Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) that provides undergraduate students with hands-on research experiences within a course. Through the Fly-CURE, undergraduate students at diverse types of higher education institutions across the United States map and characterize novel mutants isolated from a genetic screen in "Drosophila melanogaster." To date, more than 20 mutants have been studied across 20 institutions, and our scientific data have led to eleven publications with more than 500 students as authors. To evaluate the impact of the Fly-CURE experience on students, we developed and validated assessment tools to identify students' perceived research self-efficacy, sense of belonging in science, and intent to pursue additional research opportunities. Our data, collected over three academic years and involving 14 institutions and 480 students, show gains in these metrics after completion of the Fly-CURE across all student subgroups analyzed, including comparisons of gender, academic status, racial and ethnic groups, and parents' educational background. Importantly, our data also show differential gains in the areas of self-efficacy and interest in seeking additional research opportunities between Fly-CURE students with and without prior research experience, illustrating the positive impact of research exposure (dosage) on student outcomes. Altogether, our data indicate that the Fly-CURE experience has a significant impact on students' efficacy with research methods, sense of belonging to the scientific research community, and interest in pursuing additional research experiences. |
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| ISSN: | 1935-7877 1935-7885 |
