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Since 1993, The
American Association of Immunologists has sponsored a summer research
program for high school (and middle school) teachers which provides a
laboratory experience and creates partnerships between science teachers and
research scientists working in immunology. Teachers who participate in the
AAI-John H. Wallace High School Teacher Summer Research Program spend four to six weeks
during the summer working in an immunology laboratory gaining exposure to
key concepts in immunology, current research in the field, and uses of lab
equipment and protocols. On the basis of this experience they develop a
classroom activity and associated curriculum. Curricula developed by
teachers participating in this program are made publicly available on the
AAI website at
http://www.aai.org/committees/ education/high.htm.
In addition to deepening teachers’
knowledge of immunology and scientific research in general, the program
seeks to create partnerships between teachers and scientists that will
endure beyond the period of the program. Such partnerships are intended to
both enhance science instruction in the classroom by providing teachers with
access to important resources and information, and increase the
understanding and commitment of working scientists to science education.
Support is provided for travel and attendance at the laboratory experience,
course and meetings. A stipend of $5,000 is provided in two installments at
each successfully completed part of the program.
The summer research program is
structured as follows.
1. Prior to entry into a research laboratory, teachers attend a three-day
immunology course sponsored by the AAI which serves to provide a foundation
upon which to base the laboratory experience.
2. Teachers work in a research laboratory of a “mentor” (an AAI member) for
four to six weeks during the summer. In some cases this period is structured
such that the teachers are primarily learning about the mentor’s research:
observing, assisting with lab protocols, conversing with graduate students,
and reading about immunology in general and the research underway in
particular. In other cases, the teacher may pursue an independent project
developed in consultation with the mentor.
3. At the end of the lab experience, teachers develop a curriculum unit
designed to introduce students to key immunological concepts through
activities and lab protocols. Teachers work in collaboration with curriculum
development specialists and curriculum templates to guide the creation of
these units. Teachers field test the units in their own classrooms and
revise their curriculum units based on their experiences with their own
students and specialist review. These units are then made available to
interested middle and high school science teachers nationally and
internationally, through AAI’s dissemination efforts.
4. During the academic year, teachers prepare and submit an abstract and
poster for presentation at the AAI Annual Meeting as well as the National
Association of Biology Teachers conference. At the AAI meeting, teachers
present their work at a special workshop open to all meeting attendees.
Teachers are invited to attend lectures, social events, and other activities
at the AAI and NABT conferences. Travel costs and registration are paid for
by the AAI.
2008-2009 Program Announcement --
Application Deadline: May 15, 2008
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2008 – 2009
AAI-John H. Wallace
High School Teachers Summer Research Program
The American
Association of Immunologists (AAI), in order to support teaching excellence
at the secondary school level, is pleased to offer the 2008-2009 AAI Summer
Research Program for Middle and High School Teachers. This program provides
support for teachers to perform research in laboratories of established
scientists for a four-week period during the summer as well as 1-2 two weeks
of curriculum development.
This program gives science
teachers the opportunity to participate in a hands-on research experience in
immunology. To accomplish this, teachers are paired with AAI
member-scientists in their region who serve as mentors and provide the
facilities to conduct experiments. Under their guidance and assisted by an
AAI educational consultant, the teachers develop new laboratory exercises
(curricula) to take back into the classroom. The goals of this program are
to: (a) acquaint teachers with modern research tools and techniques and to
allow them to bring the excitement of research to their classrooms; (b)
establish long-term associations between science teachers and the research
community; and (c) support the teachers in developing a written laboratory
exercises that can be used locally or by other educators worldwide. Women
and minority teachers, and teachers in school systems with a high minority
enrollment are especially encouraged to apply for this program. Each
teacher will receive a $5,000 stipend (in 2 installments) for successful
completion of the program, and will present his/her project at The American
Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting as well as at the National
Association of Biology Teachers conference.
The teacher, the teacher’s
school administrator, and the mentor must all submit applications (see
application instructions). An application form listing professional
background, research interests, a brief description of the proposed summer
research project, and projected follow-up activities upon completion of the
project must be submitted by the teacher, along with supporting
documentation from a school administrator. The mentor agrees to provide
adequate research space and supplies.
Teachers, administrators and proposed
scientist/mentors should submit their applications together as a team by
May 15, 2008. The applications will
be evaluated by the AAI Education Committee and awardees contacted.
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2007-2008 Program
Participants
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Teacher:
Laurie
E. Asermily,
Seneca Falls Central
School, Seneca Falls, NY
Mentor:
Jennifer Anolik, M.D., Ph.D., Univ. of Rochester Medical Center,
Rochester, NY
Teacher:
Teresa
R. Burke,
Westford Academy, Westford, MA
Mentor:
William Walker Cruikshank, Ph.D., Boston Univ. School of Medicine,
Boston, MA
Teacher:
Emily K.
Faulconer,
Lakeland High School, Suffolk City Public Schools, Suffolk, VA
Mentor:
Robert
Eugene Ratzlaff, Ph.D.,
Old Dominion Univ.,
Norfolk, VA
Teacher:
Dawn M.
Martell,
Wilmington High School, Wilmington, MA
Mentor:
William
Walker Cruikshank, Ph.D.,
Boston Univ. School of
Medicine, Boston, MA
Teacher:
Scott
Troy, West
High School, Denver Public Schools, Denver, CO
Mentor:
Raul M. Torres, Ph.D., Univ. of Colorado Health Science Center,
Denver, CO
Teacher:
Elizabeth Withum,
A.W. Coolidge Middle
School, Reading, MA
Mentor:
Rachel
M. McLoughlin, Ph.D.,
Brigham & Women’s
Hospital,
Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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