Date:    Fri, 10 Jul 1998 08:40:37 -0500
From:    Howard Whiteman 
Subject: FIRST project at Hancock Biological Station

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 andconducted 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.

Howard H. Whiteman
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
Murray State University
Murray, KY  42071-0009

Phone: (502) 762-6753
FAX:   (502) 762-2788

www.mursuky.edu/qacd/cos/bio/whiteman/whiteman.htm

------------------------------