Incredible potential exists at large research institutions to create a generation of science-minded innovators through undergraduate research, yet many models have limitations of scale. For thirteen years, the Freshman Research Initiative (FRI) has engaged undergraduates in multiple semesters of course-based undergraduate research experience early in their college careers, with the goal of increasing students’ persistence in scientific degree programs and careers, and increasing the number and diversity of students engaged in research. FRI uses an apprenticeship model, integrating large numbers of undergraduate students into research streams, as an alternative to entry-level laboratory courses. We offer this opportunity in 30 different scientific research areas to 1000 freshman each Fall. We encourage and aid dissemination of our model to other interested institutions and continue to study and evolve our program to find the optimal way to create the next generation of scientists. We are determining the impact of FRI participation on students' continued STEM involvement using propensity score matching to control for confounding variables and to identify a matched comparison group. Questions asked include: Are FRI participants more likely to persist in STEM research, graduate or medical school?  Do students who persist through all three semesters of FRI exhibit a stronger propensity to persist in STEM activities? We will share evaluation plans and methodology in order to approach these questions.

STEM persistence effects of teaching through research: Freshman Research Initiative at the University of Texas at Austin

2019 Fall National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.