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  • Created 13 May 2016

The Biology Scholars Writing and Publishing Course seeks biologists who are studying learning in classrooms, ready to share their preliminary results, and ready to evaluate whether their work is ready for publication. Competitive applicants should have initiated their research, collected preliminary data, conducted preliminary analysis of their data, and possibly presented their work to colleagues on campus, virtually, or at regional and national meetings. In addition, individuals who have submitted a biology education research manuscript unsuccessfully are encouraged to apply.

The course is comprised of key training components including online assignments, webinar trainings, a three-day face-to-face workshop, specialized peer mentoring, and post-institute follow-up.

The overall goals of the Writing and Publishing Course are to:

• Publish research on teaching and learning in biology
• Identify collaborators for national and international STEM studies
• Create a community of practitioners that contribute to our understanding about teaching and learning

Format

Once accepted, Writing and Publishing Scholars immediately begin working on online pre-assignments and readings intended to prepare them for their work during the face-to-face From Science Education Research to Publication Workshop.

The Workshop is a three-day training session held in the summer just before the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE; located at the same hotel).  The face-to-face workshop has its own unique set of goals:

•    Develop measurable learning outcomes grounded in research on how people learn
•    Develop formative and summative assessments that align with course learning outcomes
•    Develop teaching methods or approaches that align with learning goals and assessments
•    Modify or implement pedagogies to enhance student learning
•    Integrate learning goals, assessment strategies and pedagogies that maximize student learning
•    Foster networks to sustain improvements in teaching and learning

After the workshop Assessment Scholars will receive online mentoring and work on post-workshop assignments designed to support their classroom assessment projects. 

Requirements for Participation

Upon acceptance into the program, Scholars will be required to:

•    Complete all assignments relevant to the Biology Scholar experience
•    Participate in a multi-day workshop at their own expense
•    Present their work within 18 months at a national conference or through a national publication
•    Participate in an online community of Biology Scholars for at least 5 years after graduation
•    Establish and regularly update their record in the online Biology Scholars Directory
•    Share their work with colleagues on campus
•    Share their work with colleagues regionally and nationally through presentations and/or publications
•    Participate in five years of tracking their professional development by ASM evaluators

Eligibility

Applying to the Scholars program requires thoughtful consideration of one's current teaching practices and the ability to express future goals. Since each hybrid course serves a different audience of faculty who may be at various points in their scholarly journey to improve student learning, applicants should carefully review the goals of the course to which they are applying. Candidates should apply to the course that best suits their professional needs. 

The BSP Application Review Committee may contact applicants to clarify the information provided and/or make recommendations that the applicant attend another course based the strengths of their application. For specific inquiries about eligibility or any other general information questions, please contact biologyscholars@asmusa.org.

Registration Fees

Once accepted into the program, prospective Scholars will be required to pay the registration fee to confirm their participation. Applicants who are not members of the American Society for Microbiology are encouraged to join in order to receive a discount on the Institute registration fee.

ASM member registration fee: $549.00

Nonmember registration fee: $599.00

Workshop Date and Location

July 19 - 21, 2016 - North Bethesda Marriott, North Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Budgeting for the Institute

Scholars are expected to participate in a 5-month online course and attend the face-to-face workshop of their cohort and should budget accordingly. Applicants are encouraged to seek funding from their disciplinary departments, teaching and learning centers, professional societies, and other agencies.

Travel Costs

Participants must budget and arrange their own airfare, hotel reservations, and any other transportation to attend the July workshop. Participants planning to attend the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE) immediately following the workshop will receive a discount on their ASMCUE registration fee.

Contact Us

Questions about the application process should be directed to Claudia Ratti at (202) 942-9322 or biologyscholars@asmusa.org