Eligibility: Middle and high school science teachers
Themes: Explore Effective Teaching Strategies
Experience the Research Process
Enhance Your Classroom Materials
Dates: Fellowship year: April 2011 – April 2012
Online application due no later than: January 24, 2011
Notifications: March 2011
Fellowship payments:
* $4,000 for a Summer Research Experience
* $1,700 for completing assignments and a summer workshop week
* $300 for a classroom materials grant
* Travel to San Diego, CA, April 21-25, 2012
Research Teacher Fellows Program: www.frontiersinphys.org
Middle and high school science teachers are invited to apply for a year-long $9,000 professional development fellowship in the Frontiers in Physiology Program, Six Star Science for Student-Centered Learning, sponsored by the American Physiological Society (APS). Six Star Science principles support excellence in education: student-centered instruction, diversity/equity, technology, assessment, current scientific content, and reflecting on teaching and learning.
From April 2011 – April 2012, teacher fellows examine their current teaching methods and learning environments, and deepen their understanding of standards by applying Six Star Science methods to existing classroom materials. During the summer of 2011, teacher fellows partner with a local APS member scientist immersing themselves in the world of cutting-edge biomedical research for 7-8 weeks. Fellows also participate in a week-long professional development workshop, the Science Teaching Forum (July 2011). The fellowship concludes with a trip to a scientific conference in San Diego, California.
AWARDEES RECEIVE payments of up to $5,700, travel costs, and a mini-grant for classroom materials. For more information go to: www.frontiersinphys.org
EXPLORE Effective Teaching Strategies. The APS Six Star Science framework for supporting excellence in science education:
* student-centered instruction
* valuing diversity among students
* integrating technology
* developing authentic assessments
* utilizing accurate and current content
* reflecting on teaching and learning
EXPERIENCE the Research Process. Learn about:
* the scientific method
* generating valid hypotheses
* connecting basic to clinical research
* using animals and humans in research
* research careers in physiology
ENHANCE Your Classroom Materials. Use toolkits of strategies and Six Star Science to:
* transform cookbook labs into engaging student-centered, inquiry-based lessons
* align lessons to your state and national science education standards
PROGRAM INFORMATION AND APPLICATION: www.frontiersinphys.org. Be sure to read and follow the “HOW TO APPLY” GUIDE document at the Research Teacher Fellows program website. DEADLINE: January 24, 2011.
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TESTIMONIALS from past Teacher Fellows about the Frontiers in Physiology program:
On the fellowship experience: “Enjoy every minute of the fellowship experience because it goes by so fast. You are so absorbed in the material and assignments that it will take you a year just to compress and reflect on it all. So soak it up, relax, and enjoy the incredible journey that the APS will take you on!”
On the summer research experience: “When I applied for the Frontiers in Physiology program I had no idea just what to expect. Before I knew it, I was scrambling to complete assignments and do reflections in the middle of doing exams, grades and reports. It was a madhouse and suddenly I was thrown into a research setting. I felt like a fish out of water. To be honest, I really didn’t know what I was doing at first. Some of you may be very comfortable in the research setting, but some of you may feel like I did. I felt like one of those students that has to work very hard to ‘get it.’ Fortunately, everyone was on my side. Once I stepped back to see the big picture, I was able to relax and enjoy it. Have fun with the work, think about ways to apply it to your teaching and enjoy the experience!”
On the learning experience: “It’s been 33 years ago since I last took up Human Anatomy and Physiology and I really had a hard time recalling everything about the Nervous System. However, the way the lesson was presented helped me a lot – not only in terms of remembering the concepts but most importantly the processes involved in learning the concepts. I’m determined to apply everything I have learned so far in my science classes. Thanks APS.”
On the skills on transforming cookbook labs: “I have learned a lot through these transformations. Where I once thought my labs were student centered and inquiry based, I am beginning to see just how teacher directed they were. I think I will have a great deal of transforming to do this year.”
Questions? Contact the APS K-12 Education Programs Coordinator: Mel Limson: mlimson@the-aps.org
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY is supported by the APS, a Science Education Partnership Award (R25RR025127) from the National Center for Research Resources, and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R13DK039306) at the National Institutes of Health.