The ChemCUREs project is a 2-semester sequence that uses research to link organic chemistry to analytical chemistry. The focus of student research is on the tardigrade, a microscopic extremophile, which produces sugar molecules to survive desiccation and freezing. Students in the organic CURE have created a library of modified sugar molecules which they then tested in the analytical CURE for the behavior of those molecules within lipid membranes. The study of these modified sugar molecules should lead to insights for the development of new cell preservatives. In an effort, to ascertain causal mechanism for the proclaimed benefits of CUREs, we have collected data using multiple instruments and methods. Participants were randomly selected using a matched set statistical sampling based on major, URM status, gender and intention of taking quantitative analysis. All students in the traditional laboratory courses completed the same surveys and exams as the CURE students, we then identified those that had applied for the CURE and used their data for comparison. The Classroom Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) survey was administered pre/post to the Organic II laboratory sections and the Laboratory Course Assessment Survey (LCAS), was administered pre/post analytical laboratory sections. A laboratory practical exam was developed and validated for both courses and administered at the end of the semester to all laboratory sections. There was not a significant difference in scores on the laboratory practical exam between the students in CURE and the traditional laboratory courses. There was no difference in the pre-survey items, for the CURE survey, however several of the post-survey revealed significant differences in the experiences for the CURE students relative to traditional organic labs. The LCAS indicated a significant difference for two laboratory features: Discovery and Relevance was significantly higher for CURE students as was Iteration. This direct comparison revealed the benefits of the CURE sections and the equality in assessment performance indicated that student learning was not compromised by the alternative instructional method.

ChemCUREs: Linked 2-semester organic to analytical CURE sequence

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

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