Teaching Ecology with Human-Environment Interactions

Overview

Teaching Ecology with Human-Environment Interactions

Faculty Mentoring Network (FMN):

An initiative of ESA's Transforming Ecology Education to 4D (TEE) Project

A stipend of $1000 is available for participants who complete all requirements.

Funding support comes from the National Science Foundation

Applications Are Closed

The Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) Transforming Ecology Education to 4D (TEE) project is hosting a Faculty Mentoring Network (FMN) in Fall 2023. Participants will explore, and incorporate, Human-Environment Interactions (HEI) into their undergraduate ecology courses through the modification of teaching materials. HEI is one of the dimensions in the Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) framework.

Purpose of FMN

The goal of the TEE FMN is to establish a community of practice that integrates the Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) framework into the undergraduate classroom. The 4DEE Framework includes Core Ecological Concepts, Ecology Practices, Human-Environment Interactions, and Cross-Cutting Themes. To facilitate FMN activities, we are asking that participants have existing teaching materials and upcoming ecology-oriented teaching opportunities that could be modified to incorporate HEI.

Participants will work collaboratively, learn from and interact with experts, discuss modern pedagogy, share approaches and efforts to incorporate HEI, and provide peer feedback to one another. Time and support will be included in the weekly sessions to create educational products.

Ultimately, participant efforts will help inform the incorporation of the human dimension beyond the modified teaching materials and at larger scales at course and curriculum levels.

Who should apply?

Individuals willing to enter the FMN with an open mind and flexible about adapting existing teaching materials using the 4DEE approach with specific emphasis on human-environment interactions.
Any instructor, including adjunct instructors or graduate students, who have taught using materials that they created, and who expect to use their newly developed material in AY23-24.
Faculty who belong to an underrepresented minority group or who teach at a minority-serving institution are especially encouraged to apply.
Instructors teaching ecology in any major are welcome.
Participants must be willing to incorporate active learning techniques and inclusive teaching approaches in their modules.
Participants must be able to receive federal dollars since this FMN is supported by NSF.

What products/outcomes are expected from the FMN?

The creation of a cohort of scholars, and extended networks, who are able to discuss their ecology teaching.
Exposure to the perspectives from practitioners across the USA with regard to human-environment interactions and pedagogy.
Participants who are willing to share their teaching resources and the 4DEE framework with colleagues and peers at various events.
A collection of educational products that demonstrate how 4DEE can be implemented and HEI incorporated.
An overall greater appreciation for 4DEE in educational communities as well as an overall improvement in undergraduate ecology education nationwide.

Important Dates & Location:

A virtual kick-off will be held early to mid-September 2023 (time TBD). All sessions will be held via Zoom. The weekly sessions will be held between mid to late-Sept - early Dec (time TBD). Products and workshop presentations are expected to occur before 31 December 2024.

How to Apply:

Applications are closed. Accepted applicants will be notified in July. Space is limited.

Benefits of Participation:

Ongoing support for development, adaptation, customization, and implementation of material in the classroom that incorporates the ESA-approved, 4DEE framework approach through the duration of the FMN.
Access to peer mentors on effective pedagogical tips and strategies in small group virtual meetings every week for the length of the FMN.
Access to additional experts on topics to be discussed during the FMN.
Support to develop an HEI-focused product and/or become a published author. Participants will have the option to submit the module they have been working on for publication.
Access to an established peer community for possible collaborations in the future.
Recognition as an ESA Education Scholar for your professional portfolio.
Invitation to speak at future ESA education events including the 4DEE virtual showcase.
Stipend of $1,000 for full participation at all virtual sessions and approved submission of the educational product.
Eligible for additional travel support of up to $2,200 to organize a workshop for educators to present educational products at selected preapproved conferences in the next year.

FMN Requirements:

Participants must be willing to incorporate the human dimension of the 4DEE framework into a high-quality educational module.
Participants must meet for ~1.5 hours each week between September - December (exact dates and times TBD) in virtual meetings to work with mentors, visiting practitioners, and collaborate with other participants around the development of teaching materials. Some additional time outside of these meetings will be required for independent work on authoring teaching materials.
Participants must be willing to submit final versions of the educational product they are working on, including any suggested revisions by peer mentors, at least two weeks, before the conference they plan to present. All copyrights belong to the author. Please note: if the module contains non-original material, copyright clearance should be secured prior to publication. Participants will receive a submission template.
Participants must be willing and able to travel, organize a workshop, and present at approved conferences to disseminate the 4DEE framework and their educational products to new audiences. (Note, the annual ESA meeting is not an approved conference.) Travel support up to $2,200 will be provided upon pre-approval only after the final version of the educational product has been submitted.

Educational products are subject to the review and approval of peer mentors who also serve as guest editors of the HEI collection. Please visit the FMN Requirements Page and Stipend Schedule Page for more details.

About the Transforming Ecology Education Research Coordination Network

Transforming Ecology Education to 4D (TEE) is a Research Coordination Network (RCN) for undergraduate biology education funded by the National Science Foundation (#DBI-2120678) which seeks to create a network of faculty and academic program administrators with leadership by the Ecological Society of America (ESA). This award will support the implementation of the 4DEE framework through October 2025.

Questions:

If you have questions, please feel free to contact Jessica Johnston at education@esa.org