Catalyzing Transformation Undergraduate Biology Education

Judith A. Verbeke, Acting Division DirectorDivision of Biological Infrastructure

Biological Sciences DirectorateNational Science Foundation

December 14, 2010 – ASCB 1

Coded 200 abstracts (FY 09)

Frequency of V&C themes

REU (137)

URM (36)

UBM (22)

Baseline Analysis

RCN/UBE (5)

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V&C Goals Strategies for Change

Bins 1-3: V&C Goals for Students

Bins 4-6: V&C Strategies for Change - Coursework

Bins 7-9: V&C Strategies for Change – Beyond Coursework

Bins 10-12: V&C Institutional Strategies for Change

96%

96% 88%

76%

70%

48%

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BIO FY2010 TUBE Investments Authentic research experiences

Modeling, computational and/or systems-level approaches

Ongoing, effective and timely feedback to students

Mentoring that specifically addresses communication and collaboration skills and opportunities

RCN/UBE (with DUE/EHR) $1.36 M

CCLI (with DUE/EHR) $1.63 M

REU Sites $0.95 M

URM $6.04 M

Analysis $0.02 M

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Research Coordination Networks – Undergraduate Biology Education

(RCN-UBE)

Encourage and foster interactions between already active groups to increase coordination of efforts and leveraging of resources.

Incubation awards ($50 K) to fund formation of new teams Expect some will lead to TUES proposals

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Ongoing Strategic PlanningDevelop Logic Model to guide BIO’s future investments

What is the BIO/NSF goal?What is the BIO/NSF role?What outcomes do we want?

Increase scientific/biological literacy Catalyze curriculum changes Support teaching that aligns with what we know about how students

learn

What are appropriate metrics? Students show gains in scientific literacy Students show increased interest in exploring careers in science Students show an increased interest in teaching science Non-majors show an increased interest in other STEM learning

opportunitiesContinue ongoing partnership with DUE/EHR

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