Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology

Yesterday at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the latest blue-ribbon panel released "Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education -- A Call to Action".  It is the latest in a series of documents calling for major reform in science education with a particular emphasis on themes and competencies that form a relevant structure for learning and living in the 21st century.  I obviously picked up more than just my copy for distribution among stakeholders at George Mason University.  It also complements the ultimate article series I'm developing on "The Competency Manifesto" (QR code enclosed).

House of Represents declares Undergraduate Research Week

[Modified from Council on Undergraduate Research] On November 16, 2010 the United States House of Representatives voted to declare the week of April 11, 2011 as Undergraduate Research Week.  Representatives Rush Holt of New Jersey, Glen Thompson of Pennsylvania and Mazie Hirono of Hawaii spoke in favor of the bill.  Below are links to the C-Span recordings of their remarks.

 

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/clip.php?appid=599158917 – Rep. Mazie Hirono

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/clip.php?appid=599158921 – Rep. Glenn Thompson

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/clip.php?appid=599158925 – Rep. Rush Holt

Posters on the Hill: Call for presenters

Nothing more effectively demonstrates the value of undergraduate research than the words and stories of the student participants themselves. In the Spring of 2011 the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) will host its 15th annual undergraduate poster session on Capitol Hill. This event will help members of Congress understand the importance of undergraduate research by talking directly with the students whom these programs impact.
 
CUR is calling for students of member institutions to submit an abstract of their research that represents any of CUR's disciplinary divisions (Arts and Humanities, Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, Health Sciences, Mathematics/Computer Science, Physics/Astronomy, Psychology, and Social Sciences). In order to ensure proper review of applications, the above are the only disciplines that may apply.  Should your research be inter-disciplinary, please select the division that most closely describes your research.

Abstract submissions will only be accepted by using our on-line submission form.  Prior to submitting the form, students should gather the contact information for all co-authors, advisors and sponsors (if applicable), prepare a short vitae/resume, and poster abstract.  A document listing the information required for submission can be found by visiting: http://www.cur.org/pdf/poh%20application%20information.pdf

For more information, and the link to submit an application, please visit: http://www.cur.org/pohcall.html   Please note that CUR membership is required to submit an application.  Either the student’s home institution must have an institutional membership, or the faculty mentor or student must have an individual membership. 
We will not review incomplete applications. Please be sure that both portions (the electronic application and the electronic recommendation letter) are submitted by November 15, 2010. 
Please encourage your students to submit. This is a highly competitive program, which makes for a very exciting experience for the students and their faculty advisors alike.
For more information about the Posters on the Hill program, please visit http://www.cur.org/postersession.html

CUR Biology Division Travel Awards

The Biology Division of the Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) is offering a limited number of travel grants, up to $250 each, for undergraduate students presenting original research results at a regional or national, discipline-specific meeting during the fiscal year 2010 - 2011.  Award recipients are required to acknowledge CUR for support of their travel in their talk or poster and to complete a short evaluation form about their meeting experience.  Minority students are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Criteria:

• Undergraduate student must be a junior or senior and travel must be completed within 3 months of graduation.
• Student’s mentor must be a CUR member or the student’s home institution must be a CUR institutional member
• Student’s home institution must provide at least a 50% match to support travel

Application materials:

• An electronic copy of the meeting abstract, including the title of the abstract, student authors, faculty mentor, and institution. If the abstract is written in highly technical terms the applicant may also submit a brief (maximum 500 words) summary of the work written for an audience consisting of biologists from a wide range of disciplines.
• A list of itemized meeting expenses (travel, housing, and registration).An e-mail from sponsoring faculty acknowledging (1) student’s Jr. or Sr. class status, (2) student’s planned attendance at meeting, (3) confirmation of institution’s monetary match, and (4) confirmation of individual or institutional CUR membership.
•  Reimbursement of travel expenses (up to $250) will require copies of receipts and confirmation of student’s attendance/presentation at the meeting.

Selection Criteria:  Travel Award recipients will be chosen based on the scholarly merit of their abstract, which should include:

• A sentence that clearly states the study’s OBJECTIVE (unless included in the title)
• A brief statement of METHODS (if pertinent)
• A summary of the RESULTS
• A statement of CONCLUSIONS (it is not acceptable to state “the results will be discussed”)
• A statement of SIGNIFICANCE

Deadline:  Applications must be received by 5 pm EST September 8, 2010 for meetings held September 2010 – February 2011  or by 5 pm EST February 15, 2011 for meetings held March – June  2011. 
Award decisions will be made as quickly as possible after the appropriate deadline.
Send Application Materials:  by email to and fax receipts (only) to Evelyn Hiatt at Kentucky Wesleyan College 270-852-3145

Present your research this year!

Student researchers are invited and encouraged to present their work at the following venues.  Unless otherwise noted, most of these events are open to undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers.

Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Undergraduate Scholarship
Sweet Briar College, Virginia
Registration Deadline: September 30
Event: October 9
There is a modest fee for presenting at this event.  Undergraduates only.

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students Annual Meeting (mostly biomedical science/engineering; socioeconomically disadvantaged or historically underrepresented or underserved applicants preferred)

Charlotte, North Carolina
Registration Deadline: September 10

Event: November 11-12 (conference ends on November 13)

You  must register for the meeting to present your research.

Sigma Xi Annual Meeting (mostly science/engineering)
Raleigh, North Carolina
Event: November 11-12 (conference ends on November 14)
You must register for the meeting to present your research.

AAAS Annual Meeting (mostly science/engineering)
Washington, DC
Registration Deadline: October 25
Event: February 18-19, 2011 (conference February 17-21)
You must register for the meeting to present your research.

CUR Posters on the Hill Showcase
Washington, DC
Registration Deadline: November 15
Event: April 2011
Posters are competitively selected from around the nation.  Undergraduates only.