the hhmi science education alliance create refine network disseminate resources for science...
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July 24, The SEA Key players Scientists Educators Ultimate goal Improve the production and quality of 21 st - century scientistsTRANSCRIPT
The HHMI Science Education Alliance
Create Refine Network Disseminate
Resources for Science Education
Tuajuanda Jordan, Ph.D.Senior Program OfficerHoward Hughes Medical Institute
July 24, 2007 2
The Mission of theScience Education Alliance (SEA) To be a national resource for science
education by Developing and providing new materials and
methods to the education community Assembling and supporting educator networks
working on common activities
July 24, 2007 3
The SEA Key players
Scientists Educators
Ultimate goal Improve the production and quality of 21st-
century scientists
July 24, 2007 4
One Strategy
EDUCATIO
NRESEARCH
1. Survey
2. Identify
3. Develop
July 24, 2007 5
Development Process Workshops Institutes Short courses Sabbaticals
July 24, 2007 6
Dissemination Plan Quality control and adaptability
Peer review Beta testing
Methods of dissemination Workshops Institutes Internet Multimedia
July 24, 2007 7
A SEA Example A fact
Undergraduate research is important The problem
Faculty time Resources: human, physical, financial
A solution Develop a mechanism to infuse research into the
curriculum The mechanism
A national experiment to be implemented as an introductory biology course
July 24, 2007 8
National Phage Genomics Initiative What are the expectations?
Short-term Increased exposure of lower-division students to the
practical aspects of science Enhanced critical-thinking, problem-solving, and
communication skills Increased involvement in mentored undergraduate
research experiences Development of new and improved pedagogical
methods Enhancement of knowledge to the general scientific
community
July 24, 2007 9
National Phage Genomics Initiative What are the expectations?
Long-term Improved percentage of students pursuing advanced
graduate and professional degrees Increased production of individuals pursuing research
careers Improved public awareness of the basic aspects of science Broad dissemination of innovative methods in pedagogy Enhanced public understanding of the scientific process
July 24, 2007 10
National Phage Genomics Initiative Why bacteriophage?
Plentiful Highly diverse Easily isolated directly from the environment Relatively simple and small genomes Well established techniques to
Isolate, propagate, and purify the phage Isolate, purify, clone, and characterize the DNA
July 24, 2007 11
National Phage Genomics Initiative Why Introductory Biology course?
Freshmen and sophomores Opportunity to encounter the organism/research
products in other, more advanced, cross-disciplinary courses
What is the implementation format? Lecture + lab Lecture integrated into the lab
July 24, 2007 12
National Phage Genomics Initiative What is the course implementation method?
Full year One semester Modular
July 24, 2007 13
National Phage Genomics Initiative Full-year implementation
1st semester Introductory exercises
Lab safety Scientific ethics Notebooks Basic laboratory techniques and calculations
Microbiology Molecular biology
July 24, 2007 14
National Phage Genomics Initiative Full-year implementation (continued)
2nd semester Introductory exercises Genomics
Finishing Annotation Comparative analysis
Summer (optional) Annotation Draft manuscript
July 24, 2007 15
National Phage Genomics Initiative One-semester (examples)
Phage isolation and characterization, or Phage genomic analysis (finishing, annotation,
and/or comparative genomics) Modular
The specific topic(s) to be implemented is/are up to the faculty
July 24, 2007 16
National Phage Genomics Initiative The SEA will provide
Faculty (& staff) training workshops (1 week each) Introduction to The Concept and The Question; logistics (late
Fall) Microbiology and Molecular biology (early Summer) Bioinformatics (Winter break)
Resource/protocol book General protocols that have been tested with troubleshooting guide Pull out step by step outline Decision trees
Kits containing required biologicals, solutions, etc. “Back up” phage stock that has been incompletely characterized
either by Hatfull’s group or by a previous participant
July 24, 2007 17
National Phage Genomics Initiative The SEA will provide
Equipment not normally available at the institution Access to all necessary databases, web-tools, and
computer programs Sequencing services Communications system to facilitate data exchange and
discussions between participants and staff Electronic bulletin board (portions secured from public viewing) Wiki (open to the public but secured deposits and edits) Other mechanisms as required
July 24, 2007 18
National Phage Genomics Initiative The SEA will provide
Networking, planning, and trouble-shooting workshops Annual symposium
Student research presentations Faculty presentations on pedagogical strategies/models
Computer support staff and dedicated server Paid travel and lodging expenses to the SEA conferences
and symposia Course resource support for up to three cycles Curriculum development assistance
July 24, 2007 19
National Phage Genomics Initiative Expected commitment from participants
Faculty Attend all training workshops and conferences with a
colleague Implement the course, in agreed upon format, the
semester immediately following attendance of 1st training workshop
Agree to run the course for at least two cycles Assist SEA in evaluating the course and ancillary
activities & resources assessing impact on student learning and career path
July 24, 2007 20
National Phage Genomics Initiative
Expected commitment from participants Faculty
Write draft of experimental results for inclusion in manuscript and work with lead scientist to ensure integrity of submitted data
Collect “permanent” contact information for student participants Agree to disseminate results of course implementation via
mechanisms recognized by the scientific and education communities
Agree to make any developed resources accessible and freely available to the general public via the HHMI SEA website
July 24, 2007 21
National Phage Genomics Initiative Expected commitment from participants
The Institution Salary + fringe benefits of the participating faculty Teaching laboratory space Basic supplies and equipment found in a standard Intro Biology
laboratory course IT support Assist with tracking participating students and identifying
suitable control groups Agree to institutionalize the course, if proven successful, after
three continuous cycles of HHMI support Agree that any resource developed as a result of participating in
this initiative will be made accessible and freely available to the public
July 24, 2007 22
National Phage Genomics Initiative Requirements of all members of The Alliance
Willing to assist others Willing to be assisted by others Sharing all developed resources
Other matters Who can participate?
Virtually any 4-year, accredited institution with a sufficient number of STEM majors
July 24, 2007 23
National Phage Genomics Initiative Other matters (continued)
How will selections be made? When will selections be made? How do you notify HHMI of your interest?
July 24, 2007 24
The SEA If you have suggestions for additional SEA
initiatives, feel free to send me an email Caveat: should be an activity that
is congruent with our mission Has the potential to benefit the community at large