The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $150,000 grant in support of Kennesaw State University’s effort to integrate undergraduate research into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) course curriculums.

Kennesaw State University Director of Undergraduate Research and Professor of Psychology Amy Buddie said redesigning courses to include research opportunities allows STEM students to focus and engage more with projects and ultimately better prepare them for the future.

“You don’t get this kind of hands-on research experience in a traditional classroom setting,” she said. “In redesigned courses, you’re better preparing students to think critically, solve problems, and speak publicly about their original findings, which employers and professors alike value heavily.”

The grant will support Buddie’s research project on working with various university organizations to integrate Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) into Kennesaw State’s STEM courses.

The grant is part of the NSF’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program, a highly selective initiative with only a set amount of available funds to disperse annually. 

“This grant can catalyze those of us in STEM education to have the conversations we’ve avoided for too long,” Buddie said. “It’s a chance for us to work collaboratively and give our students real opportunities from inside the classroom.”

Buddie credits Office of Research leaders Phaedra Corso, Evelina Sterling, and Amanda DesLauriers for their continued support and assistance with the project.