Learning and STEM identity gains from an online module on sequencing-based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the environment: An analysis of the PARE-Seq curriculum.

COVID-19 necessitated the rapid transition to online learning, challenging the ability of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professors to offer laboratory experiences to their students. As a result, many instructors sought online alternatives. In addition, recent literature supports...

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Main Authors: Scarlet S Bliss, Eve A Abraha, Erica R Fuhrmeister, Amy J Pickering, Carol A Bascom-Slack
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2023-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282412
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author Scarlet S Bliss
Eve A Abraha
Erica R Fuhrmeister
Amy J Pickering
Carol A Bascom-Slack
author_facet Scarlet S Bliss
Eve A Abraha
Erica R Fuhrmeister
Amy J Pickering
Carol A Bascom-Slack
author_sort Scarlet S Bliss
collection DOAJ
description COVID-19 necessitated the rapid transition to online learning, challenging the ability of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professors to offer laboratory experiences to their students. As a result, many instructors sought online alternatives. In addition, recent literature supports the capacity of online curricula to empower students of historically underrepresented identities in STEM fields. Here, we present PARE-Seq, a virtual bioinformatics activity highlighting approaches to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research. Following curricular development and assessment tool validation, pre- and post-assessments of 101 undergraduates from 4 institutions revealed that students experienced both significant learning gains and increases in STEM identity, but with small effect sizes. Learning gains were marginally modified by gender, race/ethnicity, and number of extracurricular work hours per week. Students with more extracurricular work hours had significantly lower increase in STEM identity score after course completion. Female-identifying students saw greater learning gains than male-identifying, and though not statistically significant, students identifying as an underrepresented minority reported larger increases in STEM identity score. These findings demonstrate that even short course-based interventions have potential to yield learning gains and improve STEM identity. Online curricula like PARE-Seq can equip STEM instructors to utilize research-driven resources that improve outcomes for all students, but support must be prioritized for students working outside of school.
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spelling doaj.art-5fa971afaf1f4ff3a3a896361eb323b12023-04-21T05:34:59ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032023-01-01183e028241210.1371/journal.pone.0282412Learning and STEM identity gains from an online module on sequencing-based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the environment: An analysis of the PARE-Seq curriculum.Scarlet S BlissEve A AbrahaErica R FuhrmeisterAmy J PickeringCarol A Bascom-SlackCOVID-19 necessitated the rapid transition to online learning, challenging the ability of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) professors to offer laboratory experiences to their students. As a result, many instructors sought online alternatives. In addition, recent literature supports the capacity of online curricula to empower students of historically underrepresented identities in STEM fields. Here, we present PARE-Seq, a virtual bioinformatics activity highlighting approaches to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research. Following curricular development and assessment tool validation, pre- and post-assessments of 101 undergraduates from 4 institutions revealed that students experienced both significant learning gains and increases in STEM identity, but with small effect sizes. Learning gains were marginally modified by gender, race/ethnicity, and number of extracurricular work hours per week. Students with more extracurricular work hours had significantly lower increase in STEM identity score after course completion. Female-identifying students saw greater learning gains than male-identifying, and though not statistically significant, students identifying as an underrepresented minority reported larger increases in STEM identity score. These findings demonstrate that even short course-based interventions have potential to yield learning gains and improve STEM identity. Online curricula like PARE-Seq can equip STEM instructors to utilize research-driven resources that improve outcomes for all students, but support must be prioritized for students working outside of school.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282412
spellingShingle Scarlet S Bliss
Eve A Abraha
Erica R Fuhrmeister
Amy J Pickering
Carol A Bascom-Slack
Learning and STEM identity gains from an online module on sequencing-based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the environment: An analysis of the PARE-Seq curriculum.
PLoS ONE
title Learning and STEM identity gains from an online module on sequencing-based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the environment: An analysis of the PARE-Seq curriculum.
title_full Learning and STEM identity gains from an online module on sequencing-based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the environment: An analysis of the PARE-Seq curriculum.
title_fullStr Learning and STEM identity gains from an online module on sequencing-based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the environment: An analysis of the PARE-Seq curriculum.
title_full_unstemmed Learning and STEM identity gains from an online module on sequencing-based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the environment: An analysis of the PARE-Seq curriculum.
title_short Learning and STEM identity gains from an online module on sequencing-based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the environment: An analysis of the PARE-Seq curriculum.
title_sort learning and stem identity gains from an online module on sequencing based surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in the environment an analysis of the pare seq curriculum
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282412
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