NSDL Biological Sciences Pathway accepting applications for BEN Scholars program...

Posted Tue, 08/16/2011 - 11:52am by eileen

 

The National Science Digital Library (NSDL) Biological Sciences Pathway, BiosciEdNet (BEN), invites undergraduate faculty in the biological sciences to apply to become BEN Scholars. The BEN Scholars Program is one of the grassroots outreach activities of the BEN Collaborative of more than 20 life sciences professional societies.
 
The goal of the BEN Scholars Program is to promote the use of digital library resources and student-centered teaching and learning methods in higher education, specifically in biological sciences lecture and laboratory courses, and in research training programs. The BEN Scholars program works both directly with faculty who are BEN Scholars and indirectly, through outreach activities led by BEN Scholars. Outreach activities are aimed at biological sciences faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and middle and high school teachers. Activities are carried out on campus with departments, locally throughout the region, and nationally through professional societies.
 
Using digital libraries, BEN Scholars learn how to transform lectures and laboratories to be more student-centered and to integrate career exploration and up-to-date science content across fields into existing curricula.  BEN Scholars receive professional development in:
 
1)      Using and submitting resources to digital libraries;
2)      Implementing best practices in teaching and learning;
3)      integrating digital resources into courses and measuring their impact on student learning;
4)      Leading digital library outreach activities with colleagues through presentations, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring;
5)      Networking with other BEN Scholars for a minimum 18 month period.
 
BEN Scholars will receive recognition from the participating organizations, travel support, and a small stipend for completion of all fellowship activities ($1,000 total).  Half of the stipend ($500) is paid for completion of all Institute and online professional development activities. The other half ($500) is paid for classroom testing, including developing a report and responding to comments for a month.
 
BEN Scholars must be available to participate in the NSDL BEN National Leadership Training Institute which is scheduled for January 25-28, 2012 in Washington, D.C.  The Institute will start at 1:00pm on Wednesday, January 25 and end by noon on Saturday, January 28.
 
Applications are due by Thursday, September 22, 2011, midnight EST. 
 
Applications will only be accepted via submission through the American Physiological Society (APS) online application center (www.the-aps.org/awardapps). APS is one of the BEN Collaborative partners.
 
For more details, please read the guidelines for applications (below).
 
Questions about applications can be sent to Gerard Boulin (gboulin@aaas.org).
 
Sincerely,
 
Yolanda S. George, AAAS
Deputy Director,
Education and Human Resources Programs
 
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