# Introducing a Novel Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience Using Duckweed as a Model System

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a new undergraduate biology lab using duckweed to teach students about environmental science and research skills through hands-on experiments.

## Contribution

A novel CURE lab curriculum using duckweed to bridge core biology concepts with real-world environmental applications for introductory students.

## Key findings

- The CURE lab successfully engaged 192 students across three semesters with reproducible duckweed growth data.
- Students explored duckweed's role in pollutant remediation and ecosystem dynamics through hands-on research.
- The curriculum effectively bridges traditional labs with authentic research experiences using real data analysis.

## Abstract

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) provide a scalable model for engaging students in authentic scientific inquiry, bridging core biological concepts with real-world environmental applications. We introduce a new CURE lab tailored for introductory biology students at the undergraduate level, utilizing duckweed as a model organism to investigate ecological interactions and environmental management. Our paper presents a curriculum that engages students in hands-on research with a focus on duckweed’s role in ecosystem dynamics, pollutant remediation, and its potential as a bioresource, along with scientific results from student projects that serve as tangible examples of the curriculum’s outcomes. Through experimentation, students explore how duckweed can be applied to address real-world environmental challenges, utilizing advanced laboratory techniques and data analysis tools. Successfully implemented with 192 students across three semesters at our institutions, this CURE lab has produced reliable duckweed growth data with high reproducibility. This curriculum addresses the gap between traditional laboratory exercises and authentic research experiences through introducing opportunities to conduct reproducible experiments, analyze real data, and communicate scientific findings in meaningful contexts.