Life Discovery Faculty Mentoring Network
Pushing Past Barriers: Ecological Science for All

Stipend of $750 available for participants who complete all requirements

Funding support comes from the National Science Foundation

Applications are now closed. 

The Life Discovery Faculty Mentoring Network is an extension of the rich discussions held at the 7^th Life Discovery - Doing Science Biology Education conference (LDC) -- jointly organized by the Ecological Society of America (ESA), Botanical Society of America (BSA), Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE).

Work with your peers to incorporate one or more of the following LDC themes into teaching modules for undergraduate biology and life science courses:

• Engaging non-science majors
• Connecting current events to curriculum
• Integrating inclusive pedagogy

Accepted applicants will participate in biweekly virtual sessions to collaborate with and support others in the network and receive mentoring to customize, implement and publish educational modules over the Spring 2022 semester.  Participants are welcome to select modules they are currently teaching or would like to adapt for their classrooms.

About the 7^th Life Discovery – Doing Science Education Conference

LDC 2021’s theme, Pushing Past Barriers: Ecological Science for All, challenges educators to design curriculum related to these four thematic tracks: connecting to current events, addressing levers for systemic change, engaging nonscience majors, and incorporating cultural relevance for diverse audiences. The conference included keynote presentations, workshops, short presentations, and networking sessions on the thematic tracks and the Four-Dimensional Ecology Education framework. Beyond the conference, ESA seeks to carry on the national conversation, by hosting an FMN related to LDC’s thematic tracks.

Applications are due December 23rd, 2021.

 

Description:

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is joining forces with BioQUEST/QUBES to work with faculty who are interested in adapting, implementing, and publishing teaching modules that incorporate one or more of the LDC thematic tracks listed here:

• Engaging non-science majors
• Connecting current events to curriculum
• Integrating inclusive pedagogy

Participating educators are encouraged to select one of their own teaching modules, one of the modules found in EcoEdDL or one presented at the Life Discovery – Doing Science Education Conference. Participants are encouraged to mix and match parts of modules and customize them for use in their classrooms.  Participants who intend to select material presented at LDC should contact the presenter for copyright release permission. See section on Commitments below.

 

Dates & Location:

The virtual kick-off will be held sometime in mid to late January 2022 (date and time TBD). All sessions will be held via Zoom. The FMN will be held via Zoom every two weeks between January 25 – April 29, 2022 (exact dates TBD). Spring break may be taken into account).

All communications will be managed through the QUBESHub.  Modules will be published in EcoEdDL. Participants will be required to have accounts on both platforms.

Modules should be submitted to EcoEdDL by May 31, 2022.

How to Apply:

Applications are due December 23, 2021. You can follow this link to view the application form. Accepted applicants will be notified by mid-January. Space is limited, only 15 participants will be selected.

The FMN is open to all to apply. Participants of the 2021 LDC as well as faculty from community colleges, and MSIs will have priority consideration.

 

Benefits of Participation:

• Ongoing support for adaptation, customization, and implementation of pedagogical material in the classroom that incorporates one of the LDC thematic tracks during the duration of the FMN.
• Access to classroom-ready modules: Leave the FMN with several data-driven activities that have been tested, adapted, and implemented in multiple classroom settings.
• Access to peer mentors on effective pedagogical tips and strategies in small group virtual meetings every two weeks for the length of the FMN.
• Access to additional experts on topics to be discussed during the FMN.
• Support to become a published author.  Participants will be able to submit the module they have been working on (see copyright information in Commitment section). A template will be provided.
• Access to an established peer community for possible collaborations in the future
• Receive an ESA Education Scholar Certificate in recognition of your work for your professional portfolio.
• Invitation to speak at future ESA education events.
• Receive a stipend of $750 for full participation at all virtual sessions and submission of the module to be published in EcoEdDL by May 31, 2022.

 

Commitment of Participation:

• Participants must be willing to select, customize a teaching modules and incorporate ideas related to one or more of the LDC thematic tracks
• Participants must be willing to implement a portion of the module into at least two class periods (or equivalent) in their teaching during the Spring 2022 semester.
• Participants must commit ~1 hour every two weeks between Jan 24, 2022, to April 29 (to be confirmed) in virtual meetings to work with mentors and collaborate with other participants around the customization and implementation of the teaching materials. Additional time outside of these discussions will be required for independent work on adapting and reviewing modules.
• Participants must be willing to submit the teaching module they are working on for publication in EcoEdDL on a CC-BY-NC 4.0 basis by May 31, 2022. All copyright belongs to the author. Please note: if module contains non-original material, copyright clearance should be secured prior to publication.  Participants will receive a submission template.

 

Questions:

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