Curriculum Development Workshop

The Curriculum Development Workshop is a one-week intensive professional development opportunity for 7th - 12th grade science teachers interested in enhancing their content knowledge and classroom curricula around recent advances in plant biology and science teaching. The workshop consists of hands-on laboratory investigations for the classroom, lectures, seminars and resources on current topics in plant biology and science education. Tours of the Boyce Thompson Institute research facilities and greenhouse are included. Additionally participating teachers are expected to collaborate with scientists, graduate students, science educators and other teachers to develop standards-based curricula that helps students understand essential life science concepts using plants as model organisms. Themes in this workshop are especially relevant to life science, biology and chemistry teachers interested in implementing scientific inquiry into their classrooms.

Highlights of the Curriculum Development Workshop include:

• Deeper Content and Pedagogical Knowledge: Teachers are immersed in recent advances in plant biology research, laboratory techniques and science teaching.
• Collaborative Curriculum Development: Teachers work with scientists, science educators and teachers to develop lesson plans, inquiry-based labs and demonstrations related to plant biology and genetics for use in their classrooms. Curriculum materials will align with National Science Education Standards and address New York State Core Curriculum Standards in Science and engage diverse students.
• Classroom Support: With classroom visits, classroom materials and co-teaching, BTI educators will support teachers in the implementation and assessment of new plant-based curricula.
• Ongoing Professional Development: Teachers remain in contact throughout the year. Fall and spring mini-workshops build on our summer work and incorporate curriculum assessment. Classroom-tested curricula will be published on our PGRP website and/ or nationally recognized education journals for use by other science teachers. Select teachers will be supported in the presentation of one or more of the curriculum activities at the annual Science Teachers Association of New York State (STANYS) Conference.

Important Information:

• Workshop dates: July 12-17, 2009, plus one Saturday in Fall and Spring
• Application deadline: April 28, 2009, or until postions are filled
• Notification of acceptance: May
• Application procedure: Submit a completed application form, current resume, two letters of recommendation, and a 1-2 page statement of purpose (see the application for more information)
• Eligibility: 7-12th grade in-service and pre-service science teachers. Participants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Teachers from high needs school districts are especially encouraged to apply
• Stipend: We will provide a stipend of $500 to participating teachers, as well as catered lunches. For out-of-area teachers, we will also provide dormitory-style housing, travel reimbursement and some meals

Please contact Tiffany Fleming at pgrp-outreach@cornell.edu or 607-254-6732 with any questions or for more information.

Funding for this program was provided by NSF Plant Genome Program awards DBI-0501713 and DBI-0076892 to Dr. Tom Brutnell.