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Undergraduate Biology Education Initiatives and National ProgramsSelected initiatives and national programs that are dedicated to improving science education are listed below. A few of these selections are specific to undergraduate biology education. The mission and goals for each program are described. Biological Sciences Curriculum Study
(BSCS) The Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) was established in 1958 as one of several new curriculum study groups concerned with improving science education. These groups were created to present a new approach to developing curricula by bringing together the best thinking at present about the teaching and learning of science as proposed by research scientists, teachers, learning theorists, science educators, and other specialists in the field. BSCS is the only one of these early, nonprofit, research and development organizations that has continued for four decades to produce innovative science programs based on that model of curriculum development. BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium
The BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium is a consortium of biologists (researchers/teachers), science education researchers, historians and philosophers of biology, computer scientists, academic computing specialists, designers, cognitive psychologists, curriculum theorists, and others who are committed to transforming biology education through the extensive use of research and research-like experiences in learning biology. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is a nonprofit medical research organization dedicated to basic biomedical research and education. Its principal objectives are the advancement of fundamental knowledge in biomedical science and the application of new scientific knowledge to the alleviation of disease and the promotion of health. In addition to a comprehensive research program, the Institute has a grants program dedicated to strengthening education in the biological and related sciences. The Undergraduate Biological Sciences Education Program awards grants to colleges and universities to enrich educational opportunities for science majors and enhance the general scientific literacy of students who major in nonscience subjects. Another important objective is to support outstanding programs that seek to broaden access to the sciences for women and members of minority groups under-represented in the sciences. National Institute for Science
Education (NISE) At the college level, the National Institute for Science Education (NISE) is helping to define an emerging field of science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education research and development. In professional development, NISE seeks to reconceptualize the field, identifying new and more effective practices and how they can be implemented successfully with teachers across the country. In systemic reform, NISE seeks to set the research agenda so that this reform will be pursued with increasing effectiveness through continuous improvement for decades to come. National Research Council (NRC) The Committee on Undergraduate Science Education (CUSE) was created in 1993 to promote and sustain improvement in undergraduate education in the physical and biological sciences for all students. The long-term goals are better preparation of precollege teachers, a more scientifically literate citizenry, greater access to science careers for women and minorities, and better preparation of students going on for advanced study in the natural sciences. The National Research Council's Center for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education houses CUSE and related programs that bring together national, state, and local leaders from education, industry, government, and other sectors to address critical national issues in science, mathematics, and engineering education. National Science Foundation (NSF) The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting science and engineering. The Division of Undergraduate Education (DUE) serves as the focal point for NSF's agency-wide effort in undergraduate education. The programs and leadership efforts of DUE aim to strengthen and ensure the vitality of undergraduate education in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SME&T) for all students. Programs within the Division enhance the quality of instruction in the diverse institutions of higher education; that is, two- and four-year colleges and universities. Particular emphasis is placed on improving access for all segments of U.S. society, including paraprofessionals, persons with disabilities, and populations previously underrepresented in SME&T studies or in technical and teaching careers. Project Kaleidoscope (PKAL) Project Kaleidoscope is an informal national alliance of individuals, institutions, and organizations committed to strengthening undergraduate science, mathematics, engineering, and technology education. Two goals that have shaped Project Kaleidoscope since its beginning are: 1) to transform the learning environment for undergraduate students in science, mathematics, engineering and technology by building institutional teams with a driving vision of what works and who are committed to action and 2) to foster public understanding of how a strong undergraduate science community serves the national interest. Workshop Biology Workshop Biology is a project at the University of Oregon designed to improve biology teaching for non-biology majors. From 1991 to1994, the project's aim was the development of a new general biology course at the University of Oregon. Since 1994, the project has focused on developing a nationwide network of college biology teachers and providing resources and assistance for curriculum development and assessment. |
