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

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.