The Summer Institute
The National Academies Summer Institute on Undergraduate Education in Biology provides an environment for intensive learning about biology instruction in the context of the research university and applications in the undergraduate classroom.
Applications deadline: March 20th
Apply to the Summer Institute by visiting the National Academies website.
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The goal of the Summer Institute for Undergraduate Education in Biology is to transform biology education at research universities by improving classroom education and attracting more diverse students to research. We train a new generation of faculty by introducing them to a scientific approach to teaching that reflects the way we function as researchers. We select from the applicant pool approximately 18 pairs of faculty from 18 different research universities each year.
| The Institute format is designed to model the scientific teaching principles of active learning, assessment, and diversity. Activities include reflective writing, planning, reading, researching, discussing teaching methods and philosophy, interactive presentations, and developing effective teaching materials that all of the participants teach and evaluate at their home institutions in the ensuing academic year. Participants also learn how to teach seminars about mentoring and scientific teaching in the classroom. |  |
Structure of the Summer Institute
Participants:
- Engage in teaching and learning through interactive presentations, mini-seminars, group work, and discussions
- Work in small, multi-university groups of approximately six participants to develop instructional materials for one general biology topic area (genetics, cell biology, ecology, evolution, etc.)
- Design and adapt instructional materials that integrate themes of active learning, assessment, and diversity and that have clearly defined learning goals
- Present instructional materials to the Summer Institute participants for feedback and review, then revise and post them on the interactive Summer Institute website