HANCOCK BIOLOGICAL STATION FIRST PROJECT

 

Regional Faculty are Invited to Participate in the Faculty Institutes for Reforming Science Teaching (FIRST) Through Field Stations Project, Funded by the National Science Foundation and Conducted Through Hancock Biological Station (HBS) of Murray State University

 

Applications for the formation of university/college Institutional Teams committed to improving undergraduate science education are requested.

 

Opportunities:

·        Learn how to incorporate inquiry-based teaching in science courses through use of   field activities.

·        Learn how to include all students in inquiry-based learning activities.

·        Join a regional network of faculty committed to improving undergraduate science       education.

 

Background:

            HBS has been selected as one of five field stations nationwide to participate in a NSF-sponsored faculty enhancement project administered through the University of Oregon.  HBS, located on Kentucky Lake, is a component of the College of Science of Murray State University, and is a year-round teaching and research facility that attracts students and faculty from the eastern U.S.  Three faculty from Murray State University/HBS are serving as a Mentor Team, assisting faculty from regional institutions in the development and implementation of inquiry-based learning activities and sustained curriculum reform.

 

Participants:

            We are requesting applications for selection of five Institutional Teams.  Teams will be selected from five regional institutions (2- and 4-year undergraduate colleges and universities in KY and surrounding states) to participate in a two-year undergraduate science faculty enhancement project.  Each team will be comprised of three members who are or will be involved in teaching introductory undergraduate science courses, education of pre-service teachers, and/or the development of undergraduate science curricula.  Team members can be faculty, post-doctoral students, and appropriate graduate students, all of whom must have an interest in curriculum reform and a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.  Teams with members in more than one discipline are encouraged to apply.

 

Participant Responsibilities:

            1.  Two-year commitment (1998-2000) to the FIRST project.

            2.  Participation by all team members in a two-day orientation (Nov. 20-21, 1998),                    four-day  professional development workshop (May 19-22, 1999), and a one-                       day future-planning session (Dec. 3, 1999) at HBS.

            3.  Commitment to implementation of inquiry-based curricular activities that provide                   a structure for sustained curricular reform at the team’s home institution.

            4.  Commitment to participate in national and regional networks that work toward                            enhancing teaching of undergraduates.

 

FIRST/Workshop Goals:

·        Use HBS as a foci to build and maintain coalitions of faculty who will       implement and sustain reform in undergraduate biology education at their colleges       and universities.

·        Enable faculty to gain experience in inquiry-based science teaching       and learning      through workshops that model this kind of science-teaching.

·        Enhance faculty’s ability to provide all students opportunities to gain       scientific understanding through direct experience with methods and processes       of inquiry in the field and in undergraduate science courses.

·        Facilitate collaboration and communication among faculty about their       reforms in biology teaching.

 

Participant Costs:

            The NSF and HBS are underwriting all expenses for participants during the orientation, professional development workshop, and future-planning session including room, board, instructional materials, and facilitators.  Participating teams are responsible for providing transportation between their home institution and HBS.

 

Required Application Materials:

            1.  A one-paragraph statement from each team member emphasizing teaching                        needs and expectations from participation in the FIRST project.

            2.  A one-paragraph explanation of the rationale for the composition of the                            institutional team.

            3.  A letter from the departmental chair or college dean describing (A) how your                            participation as a team will enhance undergraduate education and/or teacher                         education programs, (B) the kind of institutional support the team members will                   receive for implementation of curriculum reform and commitment of faculty                    participation in orientation and professional workshops, (C) the means by                            which the institution recognizes teaching as scholarship and provides incentives                for undergraduate faculty enhancement.  (You may wish to provide a draft of                         the letter to your chair/dean).

            4.  A three-page C. V. of each team member that includes teaching experience and a                      brief statement of teaching philosophies.

 

            Team Leader please send application materials by August 1 to:  Dr. Terry Derting, Department of Biological Sciences, Murray State University, P. O. Box 9, Murray, KY  42071-0009 (PHONE:  502-762-6327; FAX:  502-762-2788; E-Mail: Terry.derting@murraystate.edu.)

 

Application Review Process:

            Applications will be reviewed by members of the HBS Mentor Team and nominations made from those Institutional Teams that demonstrate the highest potential for success at implementing sustained curricular reform in undergraduate biology education and contributions to the FIRST goals.  Nominees will be contacted to confirm their interest and final selections made by August 15, 1998.  In making the final selections, the HBS Mentor Team will strive for a balance among interests and types of institutions.