The Impact of Applied Research: Student Research as a High Impact Practice in Freshman Environmental Science

Abstract

Abstract: Non-STEM-majors in a freshman elective Science course, Environmental Science 1, were given the opportunity to identify a research question using the course objectives as a guideline. Their research questions and investigations served to fulfill the lab component of the course in lieu of a lab manual. Students were asked to choose a question of interest that could be researched on campus. Student partnerships were encouraged, and a class of 17 students produced 11 research projects. Frequent interactions with the Instructor and peers resulted in lively discussions, new questions, and high levels of student engagement and performance. This approach to laboratory work in a non-science major course can be duplicated when access to resources and instructor/student ratio allows.