Pedagogy and Professional Development

Engaging Students With a US Sheep and Wool Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience at a Hispanic-Serving Institution

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Abstract

Undergraduate research experiences provide a unique opportunity for students to apply critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration skills. Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience’s (CURE’s) are traditionally lab-based courses where students engage in research connected to a real-world problem. The purpose of this study was to develop an undergraduate research experience based on USDA priorities for Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI’s) including curricula design, materials development, library resources, and experiential learning. Student’s research aimed to support USDA Strategic Goal 4 to facilitate rural prosperity and economic development. The project involved conducting guided research about US sheep farms, wool, water re-use, economic development, and sustainability. Researchers present a) three student research projects, b) “Wool Wiki” discussions, and c) results from an end-of-semester survey. This study seeks to extend CURE’s in sustainable apparel research.

Keywords: wool, sustainability, undergraduate research, virtual learning, sheep

How to Cite:

Trejo, H., Lopez, A., Vargas, J. & Li, S., (2022) “Engaging Students With a US Sheep and Wool Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience at a Hispanic-Serving Institution”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 78(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.13790