2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This study aims to include cutting-edge course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) for undergraduate students so they can succeed in STEM. It has been concluded that the research experience can promote students’ interest and retention rate in STEM. This study focuses on developing an Introductory-level CURE (I-CURE). The I-CUREs model will introduce the students to cutting-edge technologies in STEM disciplines with lecture classes and Lab tours. This model can exert a greater influence on students’ educational and career trajectories in the first two years of their college life. It could also help African American students become more engaged in STEM learning and make research accessible to a more diverse group. This study showed the data gathered from the first year of the I-CURE course implementation at Jackson State University. The Introduction level lecture was given to the freshmen through the UNIV Student Success class. The research projects including advanced ground improvement and 3D printing technology were also presented to the freshmen students. Meanwhile, this I-CURE model with 3D printing technology was also incorporated in the K–12 project – Mississippi Summer Transportation Institute, at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. This I-CURE provided an opportunity for high school students to be exposed to sophisticated, high-tech modern instrumentation, which could in turn stimulate their interest in pursuing science and engineering careers.