Transforming Experiences: Interdisciplinary Teams of GK-12 Fellows Linking Teacher Professional Development, Middle School Implementation and International Collaboration

Information - Fellows

Overview

This UC Denver National Science Foundation grant provides eight Fellowships for mathematics (4) and science (4) graduate students to enrich their research and teaching experience through partnerships with math and science educators in local Middle Schools. Graduate student fellows will participate as active members of a learning community while working collaboratively with middle school teachers and STEM faculty supervisors. This Fellowship provides graduate students, who are committed to becoming academic professionals in higher education, with the opportunity to increase their knowledge about student learning and effective teaching practices, improve their communications skills and convert their respective science and mathematics research interests into classroom interactions which will enhance K-12 science and mathematics curriculum.

Commitment

The time commitment for this 12 month fellowship involves: (1) approximately one day per week of direct contact time in a middle school classroom; (2)an additional five hours (estimated) per week of preparation and project related work; (3) participation in project related seminars on campus; and (4) active participation in a teacher-research learning community.

Fellows begin work before the start of the 2008-09 public school year at the end of July, with a week-long orientation, partnering with teacher participants, district coordinators and content supervisors.

Fellows will conclude their fellowship year by working collaboratively in the 2009 summer institute held in June and July run by the RM-MSMSP (Rocky Mountain - Middle School Math Science Partnership).

Fellows Stipend and Additional Resources

The NSF grant provides each Fellow with a 12-month stipend of $30,000 and additional funds for graduate tuition and fees up to a maximum of $10,500 for the year.

Who May Apply

Any UC Denver graduate student (Master's and PhD.) in the biological sciences, chemistry, environmental science, mathematics, or physics, who will be entering at least their second year of graduate study during the 2008-2009 academic year is eligible to apply. Students pursuing a graduate degree in mathematics or science education are not eligible for this fellowship. Applicants for this NSF fellowship opportunity must be citizens, nationals, or permanent residents of the United States.

Applications must include

  1. COVER PAGE
  2. A personal statement (limited to 2 double-spaced pages) that describes your interest in the fellowship, your commitment to become a higher education professional and indicates why you are well qualified to hold such a position. OPTIONAL: You may wish to include in your statement additional information about work you have done related to teaching/education, such as curriculum development work, teaching evaluations, or program reviews in school-based programs.
  3. A letter of recommendation from someone who is in a position to comment on your commitment to and success in teaching or other work in education
  4. A statement from the graduate advisor of your program indicating that you are making appropriate progress toward completing your degree and agreeing that participation will not hinder timely completion of your training.
  5. A letter of recommendation from your major professor.

Completed packets should be submitted to:

Michael Jacobson
Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences
Campus Box 170, P. O. Box 173364
Application Due Date: March 2, 2008.
Anticipated Announcement of Awards: March 14, 2008.