Tiny Earth CURE Demonstrates Equitable Benefits for U.S. College Science Students

• DOI: 10.1187/cbe.23-06-0117
• Publication Date: 2025-05-29T17:08:36Z
• Authors: Sarah Miller; Paul R. Hernandez; Wenyi Du; Cristian Cervante...; Hyewon Lee; Natalia Maldonado; Perla Sandoval; Janice Vong; Gerald Young; Jo Handelsman; Nichole A. Broderick; Mica Estrada

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE) enhance student retention in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), particularly among students who belong to historically excluded communities. Yet the mechanisms by which CUREs contribute integration persistence are poorly understood. Utilizing tripartite model of social influence (TIMSI), this longitudinal study examines whether how Tiny Earth-an antibiotic-discovery CURE designed for flexible implementation a variety course contexts-impacts students' scientific self-efficacy, identity, endorsement community values, intentions persist science. The also explores gains TIMSI factors (i.e., values) vary as function demographics characteristics. A comparison pre- postcourse measurements showed that self-efficacy identity increased Earth. Some characteristics moderated these gains. Gains all three correlated with intentions, whereas did not. This shows Earth curriculum equitably improved identity. It orientation toward values STEM held steady across most demographic groups.