In partnership with the NSF funded openVertebrate project, we are pleased to announce the UF CPET 2021 Summer Science Institute: 3D vertebrates: From museum shelves to classrooms. This virtual professional learning opportunity will take place Monday, June 21 – Friday, June 25, 2021. Participants will learn about generating digital 3D objects from vertebrate collections in natural history museums, have the chance to explore ways to incorporate them in the classroom, and work in small groups (~3 teachers) with a scientist to develop learning activities based on their research and career path. Educators will be collaboratively designing activities for use in their own classroom, so all middle and high school science teachers are welcome to apply. Learning activities should align with one or more of the following topics: function, anatomy, evolution, paleontology. We anticipate ~three hours synchronously each day with time to be determined to best fit the time zones of all participants as well as additional collaborative work time and individual planning.
TO APPLY:
Interested educators are invited to apply using the on-line application portal<https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8JwcJucC8CPyGZD>.
Applications will be reviewed, and invitations extended on a rolling basis starting May 15.
For questions, please contact Dr. Julie Bokor at julie@cpet.ufl.edu<mailto:julie@cpet.ufl.edu> or 352.392.2310.
More information can also be found at: http://bit.ly/overt2021 and https://www.cpet.ufl.edu
OVERVIEW:
The biology of vertebrate animals provides opportunities to students to learn about anatomy, function, evolution, and paleontology. Participants in this workshop will gain a hands-on introduction to vertebrate diversity through lectures, discussion with scientists and students, and virtual visits to the museum scientific collections to see rare specimens of both living and extinct species. While scientists visiting natural history museums around the world have access to these unique specimens to understand vertebrate biology, this is a resource that students and the public rarely see or even know about. Using three-dimensional imaging as part of the openVertebrate project (or oVert) funded by the US National Science Foundation (https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/overt/), we are creating digital specimens that can be viewed in the classroom, digitally dissected, 3D-printed, and more. Participants in this program will learn about working with these resources and develop teaching modules that convey key concepts in anatomy, function, and evolution.
The professional learning program:
Following a general introduction to vertebrate diversity, participants will learn how scientists and students investigate anatomy, function, and evolution using digital three-dimensional anatomical data. During the week, brief presentations from and discussions with research faculty and graduate students highlight the diversity of studies utilizing museum collections as well as provide context to develop classroom lessons. Working in small groups, participants and scientists will work together to brainstorm ideas for translating the oVert project into classroom materials and fully developed learning activities for implementation during the 2021/2022 school year. Emphasis will be placed on translating principles in functional anatomy and evolution into effective teaching materials incorporating digital 3D objects. The workshop will conclude with presentations by participants on the teaching materials they developed during the course of the week.
Our scientist collaborators include:
From the University of Florida oVert team and leading the project:
Dr. Dave Blackburn, Florida Museum of Natural History: https://www.blackburnlab.org/
Dr. Jaimi Gray, Florida Museum of Natural History: https://www.blackburnlab.org/
Dr. Ed Stanley, Florida Museum of Natural History: www.EdwardStanley.org<http://www.edwardstanley.org/>, www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/digital-lab<http://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/digital-lab>
Dr. Kory Evans, Rice University: https://profiles.rice.edu/faculty/kory-evans
Dr. Todd Green, New York Institute of Technology: https://www.nyit.edu/bio/tgreen09
Dr. Hillary Maddin, Carleton University: https://earthsci.carleton.ca/people/faculty-members/hillary-maddin
Dr. Al Savitzky, Utah State University: https://biology.usu.edu/research/lab_sites/savitzky-lab/savitzky_lab
Dr. Stephanie Smith, Field Museum of Natural History: https://www.stephaniemariesmith.com/
Dr. Katie Stanchak, University of Washington: https://www.katiestanchak.com/
EDUCATOR EXPECTATIONS:
* Develop a learning activity based on the oVert project addressing at least one of the following topics: anatomy, function, evolution, paleontology;
* Implement the oVert learning activity you develop in your classroom/s by the end of the 2022 spring semester;
* Agree to administer a brief survey to your students after implementation;
* Submit a brief report summarizing the implementation of your oVert learning activity; and
* Provide feedback to the oVert project team.
oVert Educators:
Acceptance to the Summer Science Institute: 3D Vertebrates, From Museum Shelves to Classrooms is a competitive application process. We are looking for phenomenal secondary teachers who are leaders in the classroom, particularly with the use of innovative pedagogical approaches and technologies. We welcome applicants from across the United States and Canada. Participants will receive a stipend depending on level of participation throughout the program and paid by semester.
TO APPLY:
Interested educators are invited to apply using the on-line application portal<https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8JwcJucC8CPyGZD>. You can return to the on-line application<https://ufl.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8JwcJucC8CPyGZD> and continue working from the same computer. However, we suggest you draft your personal statements in word processing software and paste them into the text boxes. This will allow you ample time to compose complete responses and edit as necessary.
Applications will be reviewed, and invitations extended on a rolling basis. Interested educators are encouraged to submit their application by May 15.
For questions, please contact Dr. Julie Bokor at julie@cpet.ufl.edu<mailto:julie@cpet.ufl.edu> or 352.392.2310.
More information can also be found at: http://bit.ly/overt2021 and https://www.cpet.ufl.edu