Research on Undergraduate Research: Overview of Evaluation Research Outcomes from the Science for Life Program at the University of Florida
Presentation Type
Interactive Presentation
Location
Student Union, Key West 218 D
Start Date
25-9-2009 4:10 PM
End Date
25-9-2009 4:30 PM
Description/Abstract
With funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), the Science For Life (SFL) Program at the University of Florida (UF) has a mission “to strengthen and transform undergraduate research and interdisciplinary laboratory education in the life sciences” at UF and our partner institutions. As part of the assessment and evaluation of the SFL program, the assessment team from the UF College of Education conducted the following research: developed and administered surveys to both students and faculty participat- ing in the program. In the first year, focus groups and individual interviews were also used to assess the experiences of student outliers who had expressed little activity or involvement during their research experiences with a faculty mentor. Focus groups were also held to evaluate student experiences in integrated core laboratory (chemistry, physics and biology) classes to assess this innovative undergraduate science training. The SFL program is entering its fourth year; thus, research efforts are turning toward longitudinal comparisons within the first and second year cohorts, as well as comparisons across all three previous cohorts. Implications and recommen- dations for future program evaluation research will be discussed.
Research on Undergraduate Research: Overview of Evaluation Research Outcomes from the Science for Life Program at the University of Florida
Student Union, Key West 218 D
With funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), the Science For Life (SFL) Program at the University of Florida (UF) has a mission “to strengthen and transform undergraduate research and interdisciplinary laboratory education in the life sciences” at UF and our partner institutions. As part of the assessment and evaluation of the SFL program, the assessment team from the UF College of Education conducted the following research: developed and administered surveys to both students and faculty participat- ing in the program. In the first year, focus groups and individual interviews were also used to assess the experiences of student outliers who had expressed little activity or involvement during their research experiences with a faculty mentor. Focus groups were also held to evaluate student experiences in integrated core laboratory (chemistry, physics and biology) classes to assess this innovative undergraduate science training. The SFL program is entering its fourth year; thus, research efforts are turning toward longitudinal comparisons within the first and second year cohorts, as well as comparisons across all three previous cohorts. Implications and recommen- dations for future program evaluation research will be discussed.