Strengthening Connections to Course Content through CURE Research Projects

This course project was designed to allow students to students to explore how green infrastructure is distributed in the campus and Atlanta area. Students identified a research question about green infrastructure and collected data to analyze the impact(s).

This project extended the learning around urban ecology from the classroom and into real-world action. Grant funding was used to take students off-campus to see several large-scale stormwater management projects, improving student connections between the historical context and present-day structure. Students learned to recogize green infrastructure and the impact it can have on the economy, temperature, stormwater management, and human activity.

Student engagement with the material was increased through this project. This outcome was demonstrated by high class attendance, no obstacles in team work within groups, and completion of all assignments in the course. Based on final exam responses, students also gained a high level of understanding of the complexity of issues that are integral to urban ecology.

2025 GTREET (Georgia Tech Retreat Exploring Effective Teaching)