Searching for a Prominent Role of Research in Undergraduate Education: Project Interface

Authors

  • Stefka Nikolova Eddins Author
  • Douglas Williams Author
  • Dave Bushek Author
  • Dwayne Porter Author
  • Gail Kineke Author

Abstract

Current guidelines for excellence in higher education call for merging student learning experiences with the ongoing practice of skills through activities such as collaboration, active learning, and out-of-class contact with faculty. These guidelines form the core of our research-based learning model, Project Interface, which joins independent study with team-based, multi-disciplinary research to enhance student learning in a collaborative student-faculty environment. Project Interface has demonstrated that undergraduate research can be used to enhance student learning. During the three-semester test of Project Interface, 11 marine science undergraduates mastered complex scientific concepts and important professional skills such as critical and independent thinking, teamwork, and problem solving. Not only did student-faculty and student-student interactions improve, but students gained statewide visibility in the scientific and business communities.

Published

2024-03-22