Expanding access to research for students at two-year colleges: transforming a microbiology course-based undergraduate research experience to a cohort-based summer research experience

Students at two-year community and technical colleges need access to research opportunities that build scientific and interpersonal skills, and foster a scientific identity to successfully transfer to four-year institutions or the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Tiny Earth, a course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE) that advances antimicrobial discovery from soil bacteria, serves as the foundation for the Tiny Earth Summer Research Course (TESRC), a cohort-based, full-time summer research experience for undergraduates from historically underrepresented groups at two-year colleges to conduct research at a university after completing a Tiny Earth course at their enrolled institution. After completing TESRC, students reported gains in research and workforce skills, including understanding antimicrobial discovery, practicing the scientific method, communicating research findings, working collaboratively with peers and mentors, and solving problems independently. They also reported that participation in TESRC fostered a greater sense of belonging in a scientific community. After completing TESRC, students continued educational and career pursuits in scientific fields.