Project-Based Learning and Undergraduate Research in Environmental Education: Insights from a Case Study of Food Insecurity and SNAP/EBT Policy in Hawaiʻi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33423/b6axqa62Keywords:
higher education, project-based learning, undergraduate research, community engagement, food security, environmental education, public policyAbstract
Integration of project-based learning with undergraduate research provides a practical link between classroom learning, real environmental and social challenges. This paper examines how integrating undergraduate research with project-based learning can strengthen research practice, community engagement, and policy-relevant work in environmental and social science education. Using a case study of student-led research on food security policies in Hawaiʻi, with particular attention to SNAP (Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program)/Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) programs, the paper examines how applied research experiences contribute to student learning and community engagement. Institutional initiatives such as the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and the CTAHR Summer Research Institute provide the structure and support necessary for these experiences. The paper also discusses implications for curriculum design, institutional support, and the role of undergraduate research in environmental education.
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