An Introduction to the Squirrel-Net Teaching Modules

Although course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) are gaining popularity in biology, most are designed for benchwork-based laboratory courses while few focus on field-based skills. Many barriers to implementing field CUREs exist, including the difficulty in designing authentic research that can be accomplished in a limited lab timeframe, permitting and liability issues, and problems gathering sufficient data to meaningfully analyze. Squirrel-Net (http://squirrel-net.org) is a consortium of mammalogists from eight different institutions who have worked to overcome these limitations through four field-based CUREs focused on sciurid rodents (e.g., squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, prairie dogs). Each module is linked to a national dataset, allowing for broader and more complex hypotheses and analyses than would be possible from a single institution. Modules have been field tested at different institutions and are easily implemented and highly flexible for different courses, levels of inquiry, habitats, and focal species. Beyond the basic lesson plan, each module also provides suggestions for adaptation at different levels of inquiry and scaffolding across a course or an entire curriculum. Moreover, our website provides templates to help lower barriers to CURE implementation (e.g., selecting a field site and writing institutional animal care protocols). Here, we introduce Squirrel-Net and give an overview of the four CURE modules. Additionally, we demonstrate how the modules can be used singly or together to provide authentic research experiences to a diversity of undergraduates.

Primary image: Students engaging in observations of squirrel behaviors in a natural area near Grand Junction, CO.

Squirrel-Net Teaching Modules:

Squirreling Around for Science: Observing Sciurid Rodents to Investigate Animal Behavior
Sorry to Eat and Run: A Lesson Plan for Testing Trade-off in Squirrel Behavior Using Giving Up Densities (GUDs)
How Many Squirrels Are in the Shrubs? A Lesson Plan for Comparing Methods for Population Estimation
Squirrels in Space: Using Radio Telemetry to Explore the Space Use and Movement of Sciurid Rodents
Squirreling from Afar: Adapting Squirrel-Net Modules for Remote Teaching and Learning

尽管以课程为基础的本科生研究经验（CUREs）在生物学领域日益受到青睐，但大多数设计均为基于实验室工作的课程，而专注于实地技能的课程则寥寥无几。实施实地CUREs存在诸多障碍，包括设计可在有限实验室时间内完成的真实研究之难，许可与责任问题，以及收集足够数据以进行有意义的分析之挑战。Squirrel-Net（http://squirrel-net.org）是由来自八个不同机构的哺乳动物学家组成的联盟，他们致力于通过四个以Sciurid啮齿动物（例如松鼠、土拨鼠、草原犬鼠）为焦点的实地CUREs来克服这些局限。每个模块都与一个国家级数据集相连接，从而允许进行比单一机构所能实现的更广泛和更复杂的假设和数据分析。这些模块已在不同的机构进行实地测试，易于实施且高度灵活，适用于不同课程、探究水平、栖息地和目标物种。除了基本的教学计划外，每个模块还提供了适应不同探究水平以及在课程或整个课程体系中的支架搭建的建议。此外，我们的网站还提供了模板，以降低CURE实施门槛（例如选择实地地点和撰写机构动物护理方案）。在此，我们介绍了Squirrel-Net，并对四个CURE模块进行了概述。此外，我们展示了如何单独或联合使用这些模块，为不同背景的本科生提供真实的研究体验。

主要图片：在科罗拉多州格兰德贾辛附近的自然区域进行松鼠行为观察的学生。

Squirrel-Net教学模块：

1. 为科学而松鼠：通过观察Sciurid啮齿动物来研究动物行为
2. 吃了跑：利用放弃密度（GUDs）测试松鼠行为中的权衡的教案
3. 树丛中有多少松鼠？用于比较种群估计方法的教案
4. 空间中的松鼠：利用无线电遥测探索Sciurid啮齿动物的空间利用和移动
5. 远距离松鼠：将Squirrel-Net模块调整为远程教学和学习