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What is the LABS project?

The LABS project is a year-long professional development project for middle and high school teachers in the life sciences. The focus of the project is on building lead teachers with expertise in conservation biology.

Twelve pairs of teachers from middle and high schools will attend a three-week, six credit, graduate, summer workshop at Miami University. This workshop will cover ecology, genetics and their application in conservation biology as well as focusing on teaching science by inquiry and developing leadership skills. This will allow participants to share their knowledge with other teachers in their home districts. The summer workshop will be followed with a four credit, web-based, year long workshop, which will cover implementing and disseminating this knowledge.

LABS will culminate in a student based project in which participants' classes will determine the ecological and genetic integrity of a local forest patch. Throughout this process students will receive guidance from the project directors and share their results via the World Wide Web.

What are the benefits for LABS participants?

  • Background in conservation biology
  • Over $3,000 in classroom equipment per teacher pair
  • Experience in teaching by inquiry
  • Support for becoming a lead teacher
  • Travel, room, board, supplies and tuition for summer workshop
  • Books supplies and tuition for the year long web-based workshop
  • Ten graduate credits in biology

What are the obligations of LABS participants?

  • Complete the summer workshop (3 weeks at Miami University)
  • Participate in the year long web-based workshop (3 hours per week during the school year)
  • Incorporate science by inquiry lessons on conservation biology into classroom teaching
  • Have at least one class participate in the student-based research project (approximately 2 weeks in May)
  • Use skills as a lead teacher to work with five colleagues (10 per pair) in professional development

Who is eligible?

  • Middle and high school teachers in the life sciences whose schools are in Ohio or the surrounding region, including Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
  • Teachers are encouraged to apply in pairs from the same school district. However, single teachers will be accepted.

When will LABS take place?

  • The summer workshop runs from June 15, until July 3, 2003
  • The fall workshop is web-based running from August to December
  • The spring workshop is also web-based and will run from January to June
  • The class project will occur in October or May

How do I apply?

  • Find a partner (another teacher from your district). Though single teachers may apply, participants are strongly encouraged to apply in pairs
  • Fill out the application (or request an application below)
  • Obtain a letter of support from your principal and/or superintendent applications will be reviewed beginning February 1, until course is filled

Questions?

  • Contact Todd Levine or Emy Monroe
  • Phone: (513) 529-3387

Address:

Department of Zoology
Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056