The HHMI Science Education Alliance

Create Refine Network Disseminate

Resources for Science Education

Tuajuanda Jordan, Ph.D.Senior Program OfficerHoward Hughes Medical Institute

July 24, 2007 2

The Mission of theScience Education Alliance (SEA) To be a national resource for science

education by Developing and providing new materials and

methods to the education community Assembling and supporting educator networks

working on common activities

July 24, 2007 3

The SEA Key players

Scientists Educators

Ultimate goal Improve the production and quality of 21st-

century scientists

July 24, 2007 4

One Strategy

EDUCATIO

NRESEARCH

1. Survey

2. Identify

3. Develop

July 24, 2007 5

Development Process Workshops Institutes Short courses Sabbaticals

July 24, 2007 6

Dissemination Plan Quality control and adaptability

Peer review Beta testing

Methods of dissemination Workshops Institutes Internet Multimedia

July 24, 2007 7

A SEA Example A fact

Undergraduate research is important The problem

Faculty time Resources: human, physical, financial

A solution Develop a mechanism to infuse research into the

curriculum The mechanism

A national experiment to be implemented as an introductory biology course

July 24, 2007 8

National Phage Genomics Initiative What are the expectations?

Short-term Increased exposure of lower-division students to the

practical aspects of science Enhanced critical-thinking, problem-solving, and

communication skills Increased involvement in mentored undergraduate

research experiences Development of new and improved pedagogical

methods Enhancement of knowledge to the general scientific

community

July 24, 2007 9

National Phage Genomics Initiative What are the expectations?

Long-term Improved percentage of students pursuing advanced

graduate and professional degrees Increased production of individuals pursuing research

careers Improved public awareness of the basic aspects of science Broad dissemination of innovative methods in pedagogy Enhanced public understanding of the scientific process

July 24, 2007 10

National Phage Genomics Initiative Why bacteriophage?

Plentiful Highly diverse Easily isolated directly from the environment Relatively simple and small genomes Well established techniques to

Isolate, propagate, and purify the phage Isolate, purify, clone, and characterize the DNA

July 24, 2007 11

National Phage Genomics Initiative Why Introductory Biology course?

Freshmen and sophomores Opportunity to encounter the organism/research

products in other, more advanced, cross-disciplinary courses

What is the implementation format? Lecture + lab Lecture integrated into the lab

July 24, 2007 12

National Phage Genomics Initiative What is the course implementation method?

Full year One semester Modular

July 24, 2007 13

National Phage Genomics Initiative Full-year implementation

1st semester Introductory exercises

Lab safety Scientific ethics Notebooks Basic laboratory techniques and calculations

Microbiology Molecular biology

July 24, 2007 14

National Phage Genomics Initiative Full-year implementation (continued)

2nd semester Introductory exercises Genomics

Finishing Annotation Comparative analysis

Summer (optional) Annotation Draft manuscript

July 24, 2007 15

National Phage Genomics Initiative One-semester (examples)

Phage isolation and characterization, or Phage genomic analysis (finishing, annotation,

and/or comparative genomics) Modular

The specific topic(s) to be implemented is/are up to the faculty

July 24, 2007 16

National Phage Genomics Initiative The SEA will provide

Faculty (& staff) training workshops (1 week each) Introduction to The Concept and The Question; logistics (late

Fall) Microbiology and Molecular biology (early Summer) Bioinformatics (Winter break)

Resource/protocol book General protocols that have been tested with troubleshooting guide Pull out step by step outline Decision trees

Kits containing required biologicals, solutions, etc. “Back up” phage stock that has been incompletely characterized

either by Hatfull’s group or by a previous participant

July 24, 2007 17

National Phage Genomics Initiative The SEA will provide

Equipment not normally available at the institution Access to all necessary databases, web-tools, and

computer programs Sequencing services Communications system to facilitate data exchange and

discussions between participants and staff Electronic bulletin board (portions secured from public viewing) Wiki (open to the public but secured deposits and edits) Other mechanisms as required

July 24, 2007 18

National Phage Genomics Initiative The SEA will provide

Networking, planning, and trouble-shooting workshops Annual symposium

Student research presentations Faculty presentations on pedagogical strategies/models

Computer support staff and dedicated server Paid travel and lodging expenses to the SEA conferences

and symposia Course resource support for up to three cycles Curriculum development assistance

July 24, 2007 19

National Phage Genomics Initiative Expected commitment from participants

Faculty Attend all training workshops and conferences with a

colleague Implement the course, in agreed upon format, the

semester immediately following attendance of 1st training workshop

Agree to run the course for at least two cycles Assist SEA in evaluating the course and ancillary

activities & resources assessing impact on student learning and career path

July 24, 2007 20

National Phage Genomics Initiative

Expected commitment from participants Faculty

Write draft of experimental results for inclusion in manuscript and work with lead scientist to ensure integrity of submitted data

Collect “permanent” contact information for student participants Agree to disseminate results of course implementation via

mechanisms recognized by the scientific and education communities

Agree to make any developed resources accessible and freely available to the general public via the HHMI SEA website

July 24, 2007 21

National Phage Genomics Initiative Expected commitment from participants

The Institution Salary + fringe benefits of the participating faculty Teaching laboratory space Basic supplies and equipment found in a standard Intro Biology

laboratory course IT support Assist with tracking participating students and identifying

suitable control groups Agree to institutionalize the course, if proven successful, after

three continuous cycles of HHMI support Agree that any resource developed as a result of participating in

this initiative will be made accessible and freely available to the public

July 24, 2007 22

National Phage Genomics Initiative Requirements of all members of The Alliance

Willing to assist others Willing to be assisted by others Sharing all developed resources

Other matters Who can participate?

Virtually any 4-year, accredited institution with a sufficient number of STEM majors

July 24, 2007 23

National Phage Genomics Initiative Other matters (continued)

How will selections be made? When will selections be made? How do you notify HHMI of your interest?

natexp@hhmi.org

July 24, 2007 24

The SEA If you have suggestions for additional SEA

initiatives, feel free to send me an email Caveat: should be an activity that

is congruent with our mission Has the potential to benefit the community at large