Emerging Pathogens Institute

The University of Florida Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (UF CPET) is pleased to announce applications are being accepted for our ICORE professional development opportunity.

The Interdisciplinary Center for Ongoing Research/Education (ICORE) Partnership is an exciting new opportunity for high school teachers, funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, to engage in innovative and continuing professional development. The theme for the 2010 program is Emerging Pathogens, an area of cutting-edge and active research with ‘real world’ implications for Florida residents.

Teachers will perform hands-on research with scientists involved in the identification, understanding, and management of emerging pathogens; incorporate these ideas into classroom-ready modules; and present the results of their experiences to colleagues at professional meetings. ICORE also offers continuing university partnership support to teachers throughout the academic year and beyond.

An expanded program overview is below. More information, including the application materials, can be found at http://www.cpet.ufl.edu/ICORE/default.html

There are a limited number of seats. The ICORE program is open to all Florida high school teachers, but most appropriate for science and health related subjects. There is no registration cost; transportation and meals are the responsibility of the participants. On-campus housing is provided. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible; selections will be made on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

HHMI ICORE Summer Institute: July 11 – 23, 2010
Gainesville, FL
Contact: Julie Bokor, julie@cpet.ufl.edu or 352.392.2310
http://www.cpet.ufl.edu/ICORE/default.html


*********************************************************************
Program Overview
The ICORE partnership program offers outcome-oriented professional development for high school teachers through collaborations with researchers across Florida. The initial program is organized around studies of Emerging Pathogens, a topic of major importance to the health and economy of Florida and the nation. The ICORE Partnership is designed to provide long-term collaborations, experiences, and resources to assist teachers in improving science education, and to offer ongoing opportunities and incentives for teachers to engage in laboratory workshops and earn graduate credit towards a Certificate in Biotechnology Education. Institute modules will focus on human, animal, and plant pathogens through laboratory investigations using the content and skills of biotechnology, structural biology, bioinformatics, host-parasite interactions, and translational research.

Teacher responsibilities:
• Attend the two-week HHMI ICORE Summer Institute at UF and create an Action Proposal, incorporating current research focused on emerging pathogens into a classroom-ready unit
• Implement Action Proposals in classroom with graduate student assistance; provide inservice training to other school and district teachers; share progress with ICORE program participants and coordinators.
• Present the outcome of Action Proposals at the annual Junior Science, Engineering and Humanities Symposium (JSEHS) held at UF (February 2011)

Upon completion of the ICORE program, teachers will receive:
• Access to biotechnology equipment lockers and professional support for classroom activities
• A $200 grant to implement action proposals
• A student field trip to UF Special Explorations for Teachers and Students (SETS), Florida Atlantic University (FAU), or the Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center
• Continued communication and assistance from UF and FAU partners (grad students, staff, researchers)
• Expertise and support in modifying curricula aligned with national and state standards
• Priority seating in teacher workshops offered by the UF Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (CPET)
• Opportunity to participate in summer research internships in laboratories at UF, FAU and industrial sites
• Three credits towards a Graduate Certificate in Biotechnology Education, further graduate studies, and/or Florida teacher recertification