Abstract: Supporting the development and implementation of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) in ecology and evolution can be an important step in supporting equity in ecology-related research opportunities. Incorporating research directly into undergraduate coursework has been shown to reduce barriers to participation, such as time and financial limitations. Biological Collections in Ecology and Evolution Network (BCEENET) is a community of educators, natural history collection professionals, data experts, and researchers that support the development and implementation of digitized Natural History Collections (dNHC) CUREs. BCEENET has created four accessible and highly-flexible dNHC CUREs that can increase access to undergraduate research opportunities in ecology and evolution for all students. Leveraging open-access dNHC data, students can explore novel ecological questions, which can be tailored to address topics of local importance or to match faculty research interests. Requiring only a computer and the internet, BCEENET CUREs can be implemented without seasonal limitations, field-site travel requirements, or dependence on traditional laboratory infrastructure or expensive supplies. These CUREs have been implemented at over 30 institutions including community colleges and minority serving institutions in online, hybrid, and in-person formats. This presentation will discuss the use of dNHC data in the four BCEENET CUREs and how they can support adding research experiences in your course. We will also share ongoing opportunities with BCEENET in CURE implementation, materials development, and CURE assessment.
