Faculty Development Opportunity
"Using Continental-scale Data to Teach Undergraduate Ecology."
October 2-4, 2008
Made possible through a grant from the National Science Foundation
APPLICATIONS ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTED
OVERVIEW
ESA will be offering a pilot workshop for faculty this fall to explore how large-volume data collected at large temporal and spatial scales can be incorporated into the undergraduate curriculum. This workshop will generate recommendations to inform the development of NEON cyberinfrastructure for educational purposes and is funded through the NEON program at NSF.
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) will provide a unique opportunity to teach ecology at larger spatial and temporal scales than possible through traditional field experiences. "NEON is a continental-scale research platform for discovering and understanding the impacts of climate change, land-use change, and invasive species on ecology. NEON will gather long-term data on ecological responses of the biosphere to changes in land use and climate, and on feedbacks with the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere." Once established, the availability and quantity of raw NEON data will offer an unprecedented opportunity for students at small undergraduate institutions to work with real data from the forefront of ecological research either as classroom exercises or through independent research projects.
WORKSHOP PROGRAM
During a 3-day workshop October 2-4, 2008, selected faculty will explore the breadth and scope of continental-scale data and reflect on its use to teach undergraduate students, both in courses and in independent research projects. Discussions will be organized around two of the grand challenges identified by NEON: climate change and land use change. Existing data on these topics drawn from sources such as the Long Term Ecological Research data sets, the Forest Inventory Analysis from the US Forest Service and/or the Land Use Analysis Package will be made available to faculty for discussion and analysis. Participants will work in breakout groups to generate recommendations on the following:
1. How can educators use raw, large-scale data to teach ecology from a continental perspective? The workshop will generate recommendations on how data can be used to teach students how to think about ecology at large spatial and temporal scales.
2. How can NEON's infrastructure support the innovative use of continental-scale data in undergraduate education? The workshop will generate recommendations to help inform and shape the development of NEON?s physical and cyberinfrastructure for use in undergraduate education, both in the classroom and through research experiences.
3. What are faculty's needs, perceived obstacles, and recommendations on how to coordinate collaborative research at the undergraduate level? The workshop will generate suggestions for technological features, tools, and skills that will be needed to facilitate collaborative collection and analysis of large-scale datasets. The workshop will generate ideas on how to establish the foundations for collaborative teaching, learning and research that actively engage undergraduate students in continental-scale ecology.
LOGISTICS
Selected faculty will participate in two 2-hour webinars in August and
September of 2008 in order to become familiar with relevant background
information and to set the stage for the 3-day workshop. The two webinars and
associated reading materials will introduce NEON, project expectations, and
opportunities of large-scale ecology and use of large-scale datasets in
education.
Webinar 1 will take place August 19, 2-4 PM EDT and will be attended by all participants.
Webinar 2 Participants will choose to attend one of two sessions for :
September 18, 2-4 PM EDT or September 24, 2-4 PM EDT.
The 3-day workshop will be held October 2-4, 2008. Travel to and from the workshop, lodging, and meals during the workshop will be provided by the Ecological Society of America.
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications will be reviewed from individuals who meet the following criteria:
- An undergraduate faculty member currently teaching at an accredited institution of higher education located in the continental U.S., Alaska, or Hawaii;
- Commitment to teaching at the current institution in the 2008-09 academic year.
- At least 1 year of experience teaching ecology at the undergraduate level.
- Strong interest in using innovative student-active teaching methods in those courses.
- Demonstrated experience using raw data in those courses.
- Experience mentoring undergraduate students in independent research projects is a plus.
- Applicants must also indicate that they will be available to participate in the two preparatory webinars and the 3-day workshop.
Faculty teaching at small undergraduate institutions and minority-serving institutions are especially encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
We are no longer accepting applications for this workshop. Thank you for your interest. Applicants will be notified around mid-July.
For more information, please contact:
Jennifer Riem
Education Coordinator
Office of Education and Diversity Programs
Ecological Society of America
jennifer@esa.org
202-833-8773 ext. 236
