This study examines the effectiveness of Course Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) in developing transversal competencies such as critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving among first-year engineering students. Despite the recognized benefits of CURE in promoting research skills, there is limited understanding of its impact on first-year students. The study involved 45 students who participated in three challenges during their first semester: Remote Operated Vehicles (ROV), Water-Powered Rockets (WPR), and Solar Water Heaters (SWH). These challenges required students to apply scientific knowledge to real-world problems and present their findings through research papers, presentations, and posters. The methodology included workshops on scientific article analysis, APA citation, literature reviews, research paper writing, and poster creation. The progress of students was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire and a rubric evaluating the quality of their research outputs. Results showed significant improvements in competencies: Additionally, around 90% of the students reported enhanced research skills. The findings suggest that integrating CURE into the freshman year curriculum is effective for developing key competencies and prepares students for future academic and professional challenges. Although limited by the single-semester timeframe, this study highlights the potential of CURE to improve research skills and provides a foundation for future research on its long-term impact.
