WUSTL has received a $3.88 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to fund an institute leading to a master’s degree — at no cost — for St. Louis area high school biology teachers.
WUSTL developed the “Life Sciences for a Global Community” institute, which mixes life sciences research and content with educational research and methods. The high school teachers will learn techniques for inspiring the best and the brightest, as well as engaging students with other interests.
Barbara A. Schaal, Ph.D., the Spencer T. Olin Professor in Biology in Arts & Sciences, is principal investigator and Victoria May, outreach director in biology, is co-principal investigator.
“The role that high school biology teachers play is critical in fostering interest in the life sciences,” said Schaal, who also is vice president of the National Academy of Sciences, the first woman to hold that office.
“They are essential in reaching students who will go on to careers in medicine, health, ecology and the environment and in sustainable agriculture, but they also very well might be the last person to present concepts to those who pursue other interests. Thus, it’s critical for us to enable biology teachers to do the best job they can reaching as many as possible.”
Teachers who gain entrance to the institute will be able to earn a master of arts in biology from WUSTL in two years, cost-free, and receive a total of $8,000 for expenses incurred over two years of institute study plus an additional two years of research participation.
The teachers will spend two three-week summer sessions on the Danforth Campus, participating in institute courses with renowned faculty. A travel allowance of $300, meal expenses and on-campus housing will be provided for participants outside St. Louis.
The institute includes two summers (three weeks each) in residence at WUSTL, and continues during the subsequent two academic years through online courses. On years preceding and following institute summers, participants will be required to keep in touch via online communities.
The teachers will learn from top life-science researchers at WUSTL and enhance the science departments in their schools and gain nationwide contacts with colleagues who are working to strengthen biology education.
Partnering with WUSTL in the institute are the St. Louis Public Schools, Monsanto Co., Pfizer Inc., the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
There will be opportunities for science research at leading industries and universities nationwide, as well as the ability to keep in touch with colleagues, developing papers and conference proposals.
“Participating teachers will develop leadership skills that will facilitate sharing the latest information about life sciences education at the district, local and national levels,” said May, who oversees numerous outreach projects and programs with area science teachers. “Because NSF funds the institute, the opportunity is available at no cost to teachers.”
Institute faculty are all members of the University’s Department of Biology in Arts & Sciences and the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences at the School of Medicine.