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Funded by Rutgers University and the National Science Foundation.
Field Tester Workshops
The goals of the Field Tester Workshops are twofold: (1) to prepare teachers to use, and more specifically, to field test the modules; and (2) to prepare the teachers for their role in the impact evaluation of the modules on the students upon whom these modules were field-tested. These workshops are interdisciplinary and emphasize the use of the modules in mathematics and in biology classes and ways in which teachers from different disciplines might collaborate/coordinate in the implementation of the materials. The evaluation work will involve brainstorming outcome(s) that are important and are likely to reflect the effects of the modules, identifying instruments that might be used to assess these outcome(s), and work through the design issues to make sure the results of the evaluation are scientifically valid.
Each field testers workshop is organized around a main theme, Computational Biology (CompBio), Epidemiology (EPI), or Ecology (ECO). We provide programs that give teachers a more general introduction to the math-bio connection specific to that year, and the material in the specific modules to be field-tested. The program will be aimed at both biology and mathematics teachers.
Where: DIMACS, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
When: July 18 - 24, 2007,
July 16 - 22, 2008, July 8 - 15, 2009 and Reunion Conference: July 9 - 11, 2010
For details about the Field Testers Workshop Program, including schedules, travel directions, background requirements, etc., go to:
- 2007 Program: July 18 - 24, 2007
- 2008 Program: July 16 - 22, 2008
- 2009 Program: July 8 - 15, 2009
- 2010 Reunion: July 9 - 11, 2010
Activities:
- General introduction to math-bio
- Teams of math and bio teachers working together on the modules with experts
- Classroom implementation training
- Hands-on problem-solving and discovery experiences
- Computer labs
- Lead teachers
Required Background:
We require relatively minimal mathematics background for biology teachers, providing specific background during the first part of each workshop. The background needed is more about problem solving ability than about specific mathematical skills. We do not have specific biology prerequisites for the mathematics teachers; these teachers are introduced to modern topics in biology during the first few days of the workshop.
Participation: Participation is mainly by invitation only.
If you would like to ask questions specifically about the content of the program, please e-mail Christine Spassione for a list of prior DIMACS Education Program Participants who are willing to answer questions.
For further information contact:
BMC Program Coordinator
DIMACS/CoRE Bldg.
Rutgers University
96 Frelinghuysen Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8018 USA
Email: spassion@dimacs.rutgers.edu
Phone: (732) 445-4304
Fax: (732) 445-5932