Jennifer S Laurent, Connie L Tompkins, Leigh-Anne Cioffredi, Emelia Wollenburg, Denise Smith, Elisabeth Fontaine
Are we underestimating overweight and obesity prevalence in children?
Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.)
researchbased courses powerful way engage undergraduates scientific process simultaneously teaching participants relevant laboratory analysis scientific communication skills programs students conduct simulated project effectively improves student conceptions scientific thinking produce researchquality data course described delivered authentic research experience assigning undergraduates objective active grantfunded project participants contributed research aimed culturing biodegrading thermophiles hot springs yellowstone national park students participated backcountry field experience collecting environmental samples choosing determining appropriate culturing conditions following hightemperature incubations 16s rrna gene sequencing identified enriched microbial populations analytical microscopy methods tracking degradation growth importantly several teams successfully cultivated thermophilic plasticdegrading consortia student learning assessed using several methods including grade distributions assignments statistical comparisons pre posttests consistent cases statistically significant increase observed students posttest scores grade distribution summative assessments also suggests students achieved desired learning outcomes student perceptions learning experience gains high participants reporting improvements components emphasized research activities overall findings highlight involving undergraduates realworld research projects enhance student interest ownership scientific research along contributing quality data inform active studies