CUREs and Undergraduate Research

Goal #1:

Increase the number of courses integrating CURES (26 courses by Year 5)

KU’s Title III project supports the development of course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURES) that allow students to:

Participate in research opportunities within their traditional course time.
Overcome the barrier of unpaid research experiences for students who must work during the academic year and/or summer.

THE HOW?
Spearheaded by the Center of Engaged Learning, Dr. Erin Kraal and Mr. Doug Scott

Faculty members attend the summer CURES Implementation Workshop and submit an Action Plan to receive a training stipend

Mentors are selected from previous year participants and will receive stipends to build the next training pool of faculty and to serve as coaches through the following summer and fall terms (for example, participate in May 2024 and serve as a mentor from January through December 2025)

9: # of faculty who attended Year 1 CURES training in May 2024

Increase undergraduate student awareness of and participation in research opportunities as a high-impact practice.

THE HOW?
Spearheaded by Undergraduate Research Coordinator, Dr. Lynn Kutch

Provide materials to FYSM instructors to introduce all incoming students to undergraduate research opportunities early in their KU career

Coordinate workshops each spring for students to discuss what undergraduate research entails, its importance, preparation, the process, selecting a topic, using library resources, and preparing for presentations and publications

Create and maintain a database of faculty researchers across disciplines to assist students in identifying faculty research mentors

Maintain a list of opportunities to publish and present student research at university, regional, state, and national professional conference

Collaborate with programs that service our most underrepresented students (underrepresented minority, low-income, and first-generation) to increase their % of participation comparable to their share of KU enrollment

SUPPORTING FACULTY TO INCORPORATE RESEARCH INTO COURSES WILL BRING RESEARCH EXPERIENCES TO A WIDER STUDENT AUDIENCE.

Spring 2025 Student Research Workshop Series:
UGRC Student Workshop Series
Undergraduate Research and Creativity (UGRC) is asking for the campus community's help in spreading the word about our 2025 Student Workshop Series. The workshops are leveled so that they can appeal to new student researchers as well as those who have more experience with the process. Please let your students know about this opportunity and encourage them to attend. Incentives include bring-a-friend prizes and badges suitable for adding to LinkedIn profiles.

Workshops will be held at 11 a.m. Thursdays throughout the semester in 287 Old Main.

Year 2 CURES Implementation Workshop for Faculty (May 2025): including mentors from faculty peers to coach through the planning and implementation process.

- Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) offer a powerful teaching approach that can create transformative educational experiences for students. To help faculty develop new CUREs, the Center for Engaged Learning (CEL), supported by the Title III grant, is offering a special Faculty Development Course Design Institute. This program supports faculty interested in learning about and designing a CURE for one of their courses.
Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/4JmFi7dS1S.
Priority selection deadline: February 7, 2025.
For more information, please review the CURE Faculty Institute Overview 2025.
For additional details or questions, please contact cel@kutztown.edu.

Faculty Research Database: communicate open opportunities for students interested in collaborating on research projects.
Revamping of Spring Research Workshop Series for Students: Three levels of topics to meet students where they are in their research journey.