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Applying an Entrepreneurial Mindset to Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences in STEM

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Conference

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Minneapolis, MN

Publication Date

August 23, 2022

Start Date

June 26, 2022

End Date

June 29, 2022

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Page Count

11

DOI

10.18260/1-2--42105

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/42105

Download Count

360

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Paper Authors

biography

David Alexander California State University, Chico

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David Alexander (CSU, Chico Alumnus ’92) is an Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering in the Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing Department at California State University, Chico. He teaches thermodynamics, energy systems, heat transfer, low-speed aerodynamics, and capstone senior design. He has experience and interests in renewable energy, product development, design, commercialization, intellectual property, and entrepreneurship. He is the advisor for the Chico State student chapter of ASME, the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, and the Alternative Energy Club.

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Michael Kotar California State University, Chico

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JoAna Brooks California State University, Chico

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Abstract

Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) can provide every student in the classroom with an authentic learning experience. The Cultivating a Culture of Entrepreneurial Mindset and Undergraduate Research (CEMUR) project at California State University, Chico (Chico State), funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-Serving Institutions program, created the CURE-e, which combines CUREs with developing an entrepreneurial mindset (EM) to enhance connections between scientific inquiry and solving real-world problems with the hope of engaging students in lower-division stem courses and improving persistence and retention especially with under-represented groups. A summer week-long training program for faculty from the university's three STEM-based colleges was developed that focuses on teaching the CURE model as well as developing the entrepreneurial mindset. Faculty redesign learning outcomes and syllabi that focus on a research goal as well as identify a customer or potential innovation that has broad interest and value. The first year was a pilot introduction with three faculty from three different disciplines, mathematics, computer science, and biology. Each implemented the CURE-e with their own unique approach appropriate to what research is in their own areas. The second-year cohort included 10 faculty participants. Data is just beginning to be analyzed, but preliminary results indicate students are better engaged and have a stronger science identity. Students also better understand what research is and that they are doing it. They also recognize elements of the entrepreneurial mindset and what qualities and characteristics they can develop that helps them persevere and succeed.

Alexander, D., & Kotar, M., & Brooks, J. (2022, August), Applying an Entrepreneurial Mindset to Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences in STEM Paper presented at 2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Minneapolis, MN. 10.18260/1-2--42105

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