Project Grant 2613633

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded Towson University $254,260 on October 1, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to develop, validate, and implement course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) in astronomy instruction. The project runs through September 30, 2029, with performance at Towson, Maryland.

The award funds identification of student skills necessary for effective participation in scientific research collaboration, development of assessments for those skills, mapping of skills assessment onto a CURE model, and delivery of the CURE at two undergraduate-focused institutions with faculty members participating in an established astronomy research collaboration. The project will investigate pedagogical benefits of the CURE model, with emphasis on student cognitive competencies in computation and affective skills as applied to research collaboration. Research questions address how participation in an undergraduate astronomy CURE impacts development of students' astronomy computational literacy and self-perception as scientists, and how a CURE prepares students for collaborative research in modern astronomy.

Towson University, a public comprehensive institution in Maryland with extensive STEM education and research grant experience, serves as the recipient. The institution is a component of the University System of Maryland.