NSF Award
8953434
Advances in Biological Science has provided 160 high school, junior high and fifth and sixth grade science teachers in Los Angeles with lectures, discussions, laboratories, lesson planning and implementation guidance in forefront biology over the past three years. Documented evidence is provided that indicates that many program lessons have been incorporated by the participating teachers in their classrooms and that components of the program have been locally disseminated by teacher in-service programs and workshops and nationally through conferences and five articles appearing in The Science Teacher and the American Biology Teacher. Portions of the program have been included in the Curriculum Course Outlines for Biology AB and Life Science AB of the Los Angeles Unified School District that reach thousands of teachers and eventually millions of students. The proposed renewal is based upon formative evaluations over the past three years and consists of lecture discussions, lesson planning and laboratories in forefront areas of biology including recombinant DNA technology, cell biology, cancer biology, human ecology, developmental biology, evolutionary biology, human genetics, immunochemistry, plant biotechnology, other aspects of genetic engineering human physiology, marine biology and neurobiology. The scientists who work with the teachers in the program include Nobel laureate Francis Crick and others who are leaders in their fields and are known for outstanding teaching. Completely new aspects of the renewal program include: 11 new workshops, including one on cooperative learning of science and one on alternative frameworks in the teaching of science; recruitment of seven outstanding women, Black and Hispanic scientists to help serve as role models for the increasing numbers of minority teachers in the program; a four part new evaluation plan to document impact of the program on teachers and student learning; a documented plan for continuation of program efforts when NSF funding ceases; national dissemination of program products; and cost sharing programs estimated at about $276,265.
