HHMI SEA-PHAGES: A Course-Based Research Experience that Promotes Persistence in the Sciences
Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2019, Volume 40
Tom D'Elia
Abstract
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is partnering with 2-year and 4-year institutions across the US to offer a fully-developed two-semester Course-based Research Experience (CRE) designed for institutions to adopt and replace the traditional introductory biology lab sequence. This CRE, called Science Education Alliance – Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES), has been shown to increase the likelihood of students persisting in the sciences when compared to students who take traditional laboratory courses. SEA- PHAGES students isolate and characterize novel bacteriophage during their first semester. During the second semester, complete bacteriophage genomes are analyzed and annotated by the students. Collectively, the data generated by the SEA-PHAGES students lead to new insights about the genetic complexity and evolution of bacteriophages. Since 2008, the SEA-PHAGES project has produced over 70 peer-reviewed publications, many of which include as co-authors SEA-PHAGES students and faculty. In the fall of 2017, 4,563 students (primarily freshmen), from over 100 institutions across the US participated in the program. This workshop provides additional information about the program, the support provided by HHMI and an instructor’s perspective to implementing SEA- PHAGES.
