Complete Schedule
Sprouting: Bridging the Gap Between Interest and Readiness for Undergraduate Research
Presentation Type
Mini-Presentation
Location
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 215
Event Website
https://researchsymposium.ucf.edu/
Start Date
17-10-2026 10:50 AM
End Date
17-10-2026 11:20 AM
Description/Abstract
Undergraduate students are frequently encouraged to “get involved in research,” yet many pursue opportunities before they understand how research works, how to engage with scholarly literature, or how they might contribute within a research environment. This creates an important gap between interest in research and readiness to participate. Since 2023, Florida International University (FIU) has hosted the Sprouting Program to bridge this gap by using skills acquisition as a vehicle for building research confidence, community, and student empowerment. Sprouting is a six-week, fully virtual program that provides an accessible entry point to research, including for online students and those who may face barriers to participating in traditional in-person opportunities. Through structured instruction and guided practice, mentees develop foundational competencies in navigating scholarly literature, understanding the research process, and developing a literature review on a topic of their choosing. This flexibility encourages students to explore their interests while building transferable research skills and confidence. Beyond skills acquisition, Sprouting seeks to help students navigate research environments, engage with peers and mentors, and see themselves as capable contributors to a research community. Central to Sprouting is its “pollinator” model, which provides an initial framework, curriculum, and support structure before increasingly shifting ownership to local champions and students. This approach builds local capacity and allows research knowledge and enthusiasm to spread within the academic community. This presentation will demonstrate how Sprouting at FIU combines skill development, confidence building, and community formation to create a scalable, accessible bridge from research interest to meaningful participation.
Sprouting: Bridging the Gap Between Interest and Readiness for Undergraduate Research
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 215
Undergraduate students are frequently encouraged to “get involved in research,” yet many pursue opportunities before they understand how research works, how to engage with scholarly literature, or how they might contribute within a research environment. This creates an important gap between interest in research and readiness to participate. Since 2023, Florida International University (FIU) has hosted the Sprouting Program to bridge this gap by using skills acquisition as a vehicle for building research confidence, community, and student empowerment. Sprouting is a six-week, fully virtual program that provides an accessible entry point to research, including for online students and those who may face barriers to participating in traditional in-person opportunities. Through structured instruction and guided practice, mentees develop foundational competencies in navigating scholarly literature, understanding the research process, and developing a literature review on a topic of their choosing. This flexibility encourages students to explore their interests while building transferable research skills and confidence. Beyond skills acquisition, Sprouting seeks to help students navigate research environments, engage with peers and mentors, and see themselves as capable contributors to a research community. Central to Sprouting is its “pollinator” model, which provides an initial framework, curriculum, and support structure before increasingly shifting ownership to local champions and students. This approach builds local capacity and allows research knowledge and enthusiasm to spread within the academic community. This presentation will demonstrate how Sprouting at FIU combines skill development, confidence building, and community formation to create a scalable, accessible bridge from research interest to meaningful participation.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/researchsymposium/2026/CompleteSchedule/24