Teresa Mourad Ecological Society of America Rosny Jean Florida A&M University Shamili Ajgaonkar College of DuPage Joey Moreno

Food, Water, and Energy (FEW) Nexus Faculty Mentoring Network

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

Overview

The Ecological Society of America’s (ESA) Transforming Ecology Education to 4D (TEE) project is teaming up with the National Collaborative for Research on Food, Energy, and Water Education (NC-FEW) to host a Faculty Mentoring Network (FMN) in Fall 2024. Participants will explore, and incorporate, the Four-Dimensional Ecology Education (4DEE) Framework into their undergraduate courses through the modification of Food, Energy, and Water (FEW) related teaching materials.

We are excited to have two of our 4DEE Scholars step into a peer mentor role for this FMN:

Dr. Shamili Ajgaonkar, Biology and Environmental Science, College of DuPage  
Dr. Rosny Jean, Sustainability Institute, Florida A&M University

Purpose of FMN

The goal of this FMN is to work as a community of practice to build a collaborative network of educators interested in enhancing the eco-literacy underpinnings of the FEW nexus. By integrating the 4DEE Framework into the undergraduate classrooms that are focused on teaching food, water, and energy concepts, participants will be able to help students understand the relevant ecological terminology and concepts, and to grasp ecological problem-solving and decision making approaches for addressing the complex interactions and dependencies between these essential resources. The FMN will support the development of educational products that emphasize the importance of sustainability and interdisciplinary approaches to addressing global challenges.

To focus our efforts, we are asking faculty to bring to the FMN any FEW related teaching module they currently use, or one that they would like to use, which they would like to improve/revitalize by aligning to the 4DEE Framework. The 4DEE Framework includes Core Ecological Concepts, Ecology Practices, Human-Environment Interactions, and Cross-Cutting Themes  – all of which have relevance to the FEW nexus. As part of this FMN process, TEE hopes to gain insight into best practices for incorporating dimensions from the 4DEE framework into interdisciplinary educational modules.

Who Should Apply?

We invite applications from:

• Instructors at all levels, including adjunct faculty and graduate students, who teach courses related to environmental science, sustainability, or resource management.
• Educators willing to enter the FMN with an open mind and flexible about adapting existing FEW teaching materials using the 4DEE approach
• Individuals open to adopting active learning techniques and inclusive teaching practices.
• Faculty from minority serving institutions or those who belong to underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Participants must be able to receive federal dollars since this FMN is supported by NSF.

FMN Requirements

Participants must be willing and able to:

• Develop a high-quality educational module by enhancing FEW teaching materials to align them to the 4DEE Framework.
• Join a one-hour kick off session on September 6, 2024 from 2:00 - 3:00 pm ET. 
• Attend all bi-weekly for 90 minutes between September 20 - December 6 (as specified below) between 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET on Fridays. 
• 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.
• Enter the FMN with an open mind and be flexible about adapting an existing FEW module to align and integrate two-three dimensions outlined in the 4DEE Framework.
• Develop and submit final versions of the educational product they are working on, including any suggested revisions by peer mentors, by January 31, 2025. 

Important Dates

All sessions will occur virtually over Zoom

• Orientation to the FMN: September 6, 2024 from 2-3 pm (ET)
• Bi-Weekly sessions on Fridays from 2:00 pm -3:30 pm (ET):
  • September 20, October 4, October 18, November 1, November 15, 2024
• Final and presentations: December 6, 2024 2-4 pm (ET)
• Final due date for submitting completed teaching materials: January 31, 2025

Benefits of Participation

• Ongoing support for development, adaptation, customization, and implementation of FEW teaching resources for classroom use that incorporate 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 for the length of the FMN.
• Access to additional experts on topics to be discussed during the FMN.
• Support to become a published author by creating educational products that incorporate that integrate FEW content with the 4DEE framework, and contribute to a collection of resources available to the broader educational community.
• As part of participation in this FMN, participants will: 
  • Receive a stipend of $1,000 for full participation at all virtual sessions and published FEW-4DEE educational product.
  • Earn an ESA Education Scholar Certificate in recognition of your work for your professional portfolio.
  • Become recognized as leaders in FEW education.
  • Be invited to speak at future ESA education events including the 4DEE virtual showcase.
  • Be eligible for additional travel support of up to $2,200 to organize a workshop for educators and present 4DEE and their modules at a conference of your choice (ESA excluded) in the next year. 

How to Apply

Applications for the Fall 2024 cohort are now closed. Accepted applicants will be notified in late August.

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.

Contact Information

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