NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ATE GRANT
ATE Leader Summer Externship Summary Report
ATE Leader: Sharon Gusky, Biology Professor, Northwestern Community
College, Winsted, CT
Externship: Genomas, Inc.
ATE teacher leaders participating in summer externships as part of the
National Science Foundation ATE grant created work-based projects as a
result of their experience. The following information summarizes what
they gained from the externship and what their students gained from the
subsequent curriculum projects.
What was the most useful learning component of your externship?
The most useful component of my externship was being able to meet with the scientists to learn about and discuss current research and applications. I found it extremely rewarding to have the opportunity learn about cutting edge technology first hand from the scientists that are using it everyday in their laboratory.
What was the most challenging component of your externship?
The most challenging aspect of my externship was gathering information for a grant they were writing. It involved sifting through articles looking for supporting material and searching through online databases. It was very time consuming and challenging. It put me back into the role of a student.
Did the implementation of your curriculum plan meet your expectations?
Please elaborate.
Yes. My students not only learned about personalized medicine and genomics from the project, they also learned where and how to access scientific papers and data.
Did the externship host assist you with the implementation of
your curriculum plan? Please elaborate.
Yes, They provided me with the information I needed to develop my project. They asked me to make a PowerPoint presentation for them explaining the technology and instruments used in the lab and provided me with the instrument manuals and other materials to do so. I used the presentation as the basis for my curriculum project.
What impact did your work-based curriculum have on your students’
learning and motivation?
Students enjoyed being able to “perform” some of the same techniques that they had learned about by going to various online sites. The activity gave them a better understanding of the technology used in genome identification and the benefits of personalized medicine. Students were also surprised to learn that they had access to some of the same scientific databases that real scientists have. They were able to use the resources for other class assignments as well.
What have you done to share your externship experience and subsequent
curriculum work with your peers?
I have shared my experiences informally with the other faculty in the science department. I have shared my curriculum work with the professor who also teaches Science and Society so that she can use it with her students as well.
What are your specific plans for sustaining this kind of externship
activity in your school?
I have incorporated the curriculum plan into the course so it will now be a topic that is explored each time the course is taught. I will continue to keep in touch with my externship hosts so that I can stay informed of technology changes. I will encourage other professors to participate in externship activities.
[back
to Curriculum Projects page]
|
