Grants>Science Education

American Association of Immunologists Summer Research Program for Teachers

Deadline for 2012-2013 Applications: April 20, 2012

The American Association of Immunologists (AAI), in order to promote excellence in science education at the secondary school level, is sponsoring a summer research program created specifically for high school teachers: the 2012-2013 AAI High School Teachers Summer Research Program in Immunology. This program provides support for a hands-on experience that allows teachers to conduct research in the laboratories of AAI members for a four-week period during the summer followed by two weeks of curriculum development. The goal of the program is to give science teachers the opportunity to participate in an actual research experience in immunology. This experience is intended to acquaint the teacher with modern research tools and techniques, and to allow them to bring the excitement of research to their classrooms. Another goal of the program is to establish long-term associations between science teachers and the research community. Finally, the program allows each teacher to develop written laboratory exercises that will be used in their classroom and will be available to other teachers through the archive maintained on the AAI web site.

Participating teachers will receive a $5,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program, and will receive support to attend the AAI Annual Meeting to present his or her project at a special session, The AAI High School Teachers Workshop, followed by a poster session. In 2013, the AAI Annual Meeting – IMMUNOLOGY 2013™ – will be held May 3-7, in Honolulu, HI. The AAI High School Teachers Workshop and poster presentation will be held on a Saturday to allow for teacher participation. Prior to starting their laboratory experience, teachers are offered the opportunity to attend Part I of the AAI Introductory Course in Immunology held in July to learn the fundamental principles of the field.

The AAI High School Teachers Summer Research Program in Immunology is administered by Mary T. Litzinger, Ph.D., AAI Manager of Education and Career Programs.

An application form requesting professional background, research interests, a brief description of the proposed summer research project (if known), and projected follow-up activities upon completion of the project must be submitted by the teacher, with supporting documentation from a school administrator. The AAI member (mentor) agrees to provide adequate research space and supplies. Women and minority teachers, as well as teachers in school systems with a high minority enrollment, are especially encouraged to apply for this program. If a teacher would like to participate but does not know an AAI member who can serve as a mentor, please contact the AAI offices (infoaai@aai.org) for assistance.

Teachers, administrators, and proposed scientist/mentors should submit their applications together as a team. Submit applications by email to Dr. Mary T. Litzinger at mlitzinger@aai.org and please put The AAI High School Teachers Summer Research Program in the subject line.

Questions about the application process? Please contact the AAI offices at infoaai@aai.org, or (301) 634-7178.

American Society for Microbiology-UNESCO Leadership Grant for International Educators

Annual Deadline: November 1

This new program, sponsored jointly by ASM and UNESCO, has been developed to enable a select group of undergraduate educators from resource-limited countries to attend the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE) and a pre-conference workshop to provide leaders in education with the resources to build innovative teaching modules that engage students and lead to enduring understandings in microbiology.

To learn more about the ASMCUE, please visit: http://www.asmcue.org/

The objective of this program is to provide educational leaders from resource-limited countrieswith training in the latest developments in microbiology education in order to improve microbiology education in their home country. Participants will receive training through a three pronged approach:

Participants will attend a half-day interactive leadership training workshop that will demonstrate how to use ASM resources to build innovative teaching modules that engage students and lead to enduring understandings in microbiology.

Participants will join a community of approximately 300 microbiology and biology educators at the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE), a three-day forum for undergraduate faculty providing scientific and education professional development through plenary sessions, discussion and working groups, posters, and exhibits. The ASMCUE features an exchange of best practices and largest challenges in teaching.

Participants will join a one-year virtual Learning Community that will continue to provide training and assistance after returning to their institutions.

Funding
Successful applicants will receive financial support to cover airfare (economy class), room, board and registration to the pre-conference workshop and ASMCUE.

Reporting Requirements
An initial report must be submitted to the ASM department of International Affairs within one month of the completion of the ASMCUE. Additional reports must be submitted four and eight months after the completion of ASMCUE describing efforts to transmit the knowledge gained during the program to colleagues in the participant’s country.

American Society for Microbiology
1752 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-2904
(202) 737-3600

Call for Applications: Summer Undergraduate Research in Biology at Pepperdine University

In the summer of 2012, the biology faculty at Pepperdine University will conduct a summer research program from May 14 – July 28, 2012, geared specifically to undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in biological research, science education, environmental science, or biotechnology. The program will begin with a 14-day research orientation workshop, May 14 - May 27. During the workshop, students will be introduced to the uses and limitations of specific research tools and techniques. The workshop will culminate with a visit to the James San Jacinto Mountains Reserve near Idyllwild, California, where students will present their summer project proposals. Over the remainder of the summer, students will pursue individual research projects under the direction of faculty, and visiting scientists will hold special research seminars in each research area. The research program will conclude with a student research symposium in late July.

Students may elect to study in one of six areas and are selected on the basis of their reasons for wanting to do research, academic credentials, and teacher recommendations. Depending on faculty participation, which varies from year to year, students may be accepted to do research in a second or third choice of preference. Students must complete the online application form as well as provide a brief essay stating the reason(s) why you wish to participate in the program, college transcript(s), and one letter of recommendation from a science faculty member who is familiar with your academic of research work. Applicants are expected to have completed one year of biology prior to the summer program and must be classified as undergraduate students (NSF requirement). Applications are due Wednesday, February 15, 2012, and notification of acceptance will be made on or before Friday, April 6, 2012. Those selected for the research program receive a stipend for the period of May 14 - July 28 and on-campus housing is provided.

All students must be free from other responsibilities by May 14, 2012, so they can participate in the required research orientation workshop. The workshop is offered as a one-unit (CR/NC) upper-division course, and the workshop (including course credit) is offered free of charge for students in the research program. Please contact Dr. Jay Brewster, Natural Science Division, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu CA 90263-4321 (jay.brewster@pepperdine.edu) for more information.

2012 Kavli Save the World Through Science & Engineering Video Contest

Do you think we can save the world through science and engineering? Join hundreds of the world’s leading scientists, engineers, thinkers, and innovators as we tackle mankind’s greatest challenges and help to build our future.

The Kavli Foundation is challenging Grades 6-12 students across the world to brainstorm and share their ideas! This year's contest theme is inspired the National Academy of Engineering's Grand Challenges. The NAE recently asked some of the world's leading technological thinkers to identify what needs to be done to make people and our planet thrive.

Students worldwide are invited to submit entries to the 2012 video contest, with cash awards and prizes for the top entries. The best videos will be shown at the Festival Expo during April 27-29, 2012, where hundreds of thousands of science fans are expected to gather in Washington, D.C. The first place winner will also receive a travel stipend to attend the Expo.

Entries will be accepted on SchoolTube.com Oct 1, 2011 - March 1, 2012.

Our contest theme this year was inspired by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenges. "Meeting these challenges would be 'game changing,'" says NAE president Charles M. Vest. "Success with any one of them could dramatically improve life for everyone and may even be required for our survival."

We are challenging you to:

1. Investigate and Solve:

THE NEXT GREAT SOLUTION. What problem(s) do you think man needs to solve to improve life on earth? Is it to make solar energy economical, to provide access to clean water for everyone, improve the way we teach students, or something else? Investigate the problem and propose or share a solution (examples: energy, food production, climate, disease)

2. Explore and Discover:

THE NEXT GREAT FRONTIER. Where, or what, do you think man needs to better explore or investigate, and why? Maybe it’s space, or the depths of the ocean, perhaps our own brains? Be sure to explain how the discovery will improve or enhance our lives. (Examples: the human mind, the oceans, the earth, the sun, the universe, the human genome, cyberspace)

3. Dream and Build:

THE NEXT COOL TOOL. What do you think we need to invent and build next? Why? How will we engineer the tools of scientific discovery, enhance virtual reality, secure cyberspace, or create some other cool tool? (Examples: nano devices and materials, new sources of energy from microbes, metallic elements, carbon sequestering, water purification, climate, transportation technology, data technology, robots, virtual worlds, bio-monitoring/testing devices, cloaking devices, communications devices, security technology, learning technology)

Explore your subject(s) online, in the classroom, and with your teacher. Develop your ideas, discuss them, and prepare to tell us about why they matter. Will you wow your viewers with visions of the future, or sober us and warn us about the present? Might you find your inspiration in the wing of a bird, the eye of a fly, or maybe deep in the heart of the sun? You might choose to investigate or reflect on an issue like sustainability, clean energy, a man-made or natural disaster, phenomena, or an unexplored or underused natural resource. What benefits might we reap, what problems might we solve? What obstacles must we surmount before we can tap the resource? We are encouraging creative approaches, so your video could be anything from a poem or song or personal reflection upon one (or some, or all) of these themes, an animation, an interview with someone in your community, or an expression of your own views on the general state of mankind and our relationships with technology. For example, how might we better harness technology to cure disease, provide affordable energy, food, and clean water? How does technology help us, how does it hinder us? These are just some ideas to help get you thinking about how we can save our world though science and engineering.

Who Can Enter – Individual students or groups from Grades 6-12 schools, home school networks, after-school programs, science clubs or any other organization the student is representing for the purpose of the contest. The contest is open to international students.

Types of Videos Eligible - Videos should explore the main contest theme “Save the World Through Science and Engineering.” We are asking students to use their imaginations and investigative skills to tackle global challenges, explore new frontiers, and to discover and discuss the inventions that help mankind and improve life on our planet.

Videos must be 30-90 seconds in length, educational and suitable for general public screening.

All videos must be uploaded to SchoolTube.com

A distinguished panel of judges comprised of scientists, educators, and video professionals will choose winning videos.

Deadlines and Prizes – The contest will open Oct. 1, 2011 and all entries must be submitted before midnight on March 1, 2012. First prize is $2000 and a travel stipend to travel to Washington DC for the Expo. Second prize is $750, third prize is $500. The People’s Choice Award prize is $250. Additional prizes include individual student licenses for Wolfram Mathematica Software.

Biophysical Society Emily M. Gray Award

Established in 1997; the first award was presented in 1998.

Deadline for nominations: May 1 of each year.

The Emily M. Gray Award is given for significant contributions to education in biophysics, whether by teaching, developing novel educational methods or materials, promoting scientific outreach efforts to the public or to youth, generating a track record of attracting new students to the field of biophysics, or by otherwise fostering an environment exceptionally conducive to education in biophysics. The Emily M. Gray Lecture will be the keynote presentation at the Student Symposium at the Annual Meeting. The winner receives an honorarium of $750.

Eligibility:

Nominee must have made an exceptional contribution to education in biophysics.
Nominee must be a member of the Society in good standing.
Nominator must submit completed Nomination Form and required documents.

Nominations packets must include the following:
Completed Award Nomination Form
Letter describing qualifications of the nominee
Two supporting letters
Nominee’s curriculum vitae, focusing on educational and teaching contributions, and relevant list of publications

Email Nomination packet in PDF format to: society@biophysics.org

Biophysical Society
11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 800
Rockville, Maryland, 20852
Telephone: 240-290-5600
Fax: 240-290-5555
society@biophysics.org

Biophysical Society Distinguished Service Award

Established in 1991.

Deadline for nominations: May 1 of each year.
The Distinguished Service Award, established by the Biophysical Society, honors service in the field of biophysics and contributions beyond achievements in research. The recipient receives an honorarium of $1,000.

Eligibility:

Nominee must have made an exceptional contribution to the field of biophysics and in its advancement outside of research.
Nominee must be a member of the Society in good standing.
Nominator must submit completed Nomination Form and required documents.

Nominations packets must include the following:

Completed Award Nomination Form
Letter describing qualifications of the nominee
Two supporting letters
Nominee’s curriculum vitae

Email Nomination packet in PDF format to: society@biophysics.org

Biophysical Society
11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 800
Rockville, Maryland, 20852
Telephone: 240-290-5600
Fax: 240-290-5555
society@biophysics.org