Status and improvement strategies of field experiment stations in universities for undergraduate practice teaching: A case study of Gansu Qingyang Grassland Agro-ecosystem Experimental Station

Based on the emphasis of higher education on the concept of “take undergraduate education as basic of education, return to common sense, return to original duty, return to original intention, and return to original dream”, the positioning of experiment stations in universities should pay more attention to the practical teaching function of undergraduates, apart from the positioning of scientific research. In the present study, the Qingyang Grassland Agricultural Science Experiment Station of Lanzhou University was considered as the case study to analyze the current situation of connecting the experimental station with undergraduate practice teaching, and several management strategies for strengthening undergraduate practice teaching in field stations were also framed. Qingyang Station has a good infrastructure and scientific research foundation. By taking advantage of the natural resources around the experimental field, such as Ziwuling and other surrounding enterprises, it has carried out many years of practical teaching activities and accumulated rich experiences. We provided the following suggestions for improving practice teaching: 1) highlight the location feature and discipline characteristics in the station layout design. 2) expand the opening and communication and promote interdisciplinary integration. 3) make full use of the stations and surrounding resources, and strengthen the construction of field observation platforms and practice bases. 4) cooperate with the government and enterprises, to establish long-term and stable school–enterprise cooperation and practice bases. This study can provide guidance for field station construction and undergraduate practice teaching in colleges and universities.