Does Engagement in an Applied Research Experience Affect Student Outcomes? Adventures at the National Aquarium

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Date

2017

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Citation of Original Publication

Farley, S. D. (2017). Does Engagement in an Applied Research Experience Affect Student Outcomes? Adventures at the National Aquarium. Unpublished.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare two conditions of experiential learning, traditional semester-length group-based research projects and applied group-based research projects facilitated at the National Aquarium (NA) in Baltimore, MD. Although both of these conditions utilized hands-on problem-based experiential learning, aquarium students’ intrinsic motivation increased over time, whereas traditional students’ motivation decreased. In addition, NA students perceived that they learned more than their traditional counterparts.