A&S Teaching & Learning Community of Practice 2026-27: Connecting First-Year Students with Researchers and Community Through Experiential Learning

This presentation explores the role of experiential learning and relationship-building in first-year science education, drawing on experiences from CSB198: Cell and Molecular Biology in the News. The course connects undergraduates with graduate researchers, science communication professionals, and high school students in the Pursue STEM program. Through interviewing researchers, critically evaluating science news, and translating research into infographics for authentic audiences, students develop communication, research, and collaboration skills. The course also includes an outreach event that brings together high school students, undergraduates, and graduate researchers, creating opportunities for mentorship, dialogue, and engagement with science across educational stages. 

Presenters:

Adriana Caragea, Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream, Cell and Systems Biology 

Ainsley Goldman, Experiential Learning Educational Developer, Experiential Learning & Outreach Support  

For more upcoming CoP sessions, visit our Quercus site.