ASPB joins the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) and Genetics Society of America (GSA) to establish the new Promoting Active Learning & Mentoring (PALM) Network grant program for improving undergraduate classroom teaching and learning outcomes. Sue Wick (University of Minnesota) is the lead PI. Sue is a member of ASPB and ASCB. The program actively seeks participation of professional societies, so I am one of several staff-based co-PIs from the various societies.
Mentoring Matters: PALM was established to spark sustained biology education reform at diverse institutions through one-on-one long-term mentorships for faculty new to approaches based on Vision and Change recommendations. PALM provides faculty and postdoctoral fellows with resources that allow them to gain hands-on experience and long-term mentorship support to bring evidence-based, active learning strategies into their own classrooms. The longer term goal is to lead enduring change that will positively influence the teaching culture at each PALM Fellow’s institution.
Networking Works: The PALM Network is designed to combine the shared educational interests of scientific organizations working for Vision and Change. PALM founders will expand the network by bringing in other organizations seeking collaborations based on reform efforts as they work hard to promote the principles of Vision and Change. The PALM Network Steering Committee contains members representing three professional societies, minority-serving institutions, and community colleges; this is an intentional combination aimed at ensuring diversity in program management and participation. The PALM Steering Committee’s links to minority- and tribal-serving institutions and community colleges will support this grant’s goals for broadening participation in active learning reform. These organizations educate over half the underrepresented minorities in the U.S., so PALM is primed to bring Vision and Change reforms to populations of faculty and students who have not factored prominently into past pedagogical reform plans.
Linking Synergizes: The PALM Network features a unique PALM protocol that complements existing sister programs offered by Network Societies. For example, the ASPB Master Educator Program (MEP) which supports ASPB members pursuing specific professional development training and related mentoring to create new undergraduate biology teaching materials, is one such sister program aligned with the Network.
PALM Logistics
PALM Offers:
- up to $2000 per Fellow
- $500 mentor stipend
- up to $1000 Network meeting travel (Fellow and mentor)
The PALM Network uses rubrics and validated evaluation tools to review applications, outcomes and participant feedback to manage, sustain, enhance and expand the program. For more information contact Katie@aspb.org.
Applicants must:
- Be or become members of organizations that belong to the PALM Network.
- Demonstrate an abiding/sustainable interest in undergraduate biology education.
- Establish a mentor relationship before formally applying.
- Mentors must be skilled in active learning strategies and evidence-based teaching that align with Vision and Change principles. See http://www.visionandchange.org.
- Mentors must belong to (or join) one of the PALM Network organizations.
- Assistance with mentor matching is available (PALM Steering Committee can make recommendations based on geography and specific teaching interests).
- Explain alternatives if they have no immediate access to their own teaching setting. Their proposals will be evaluated with all others and must include additional elements as noted in the Logistics & Guidelines section of the application. For details contact Katie@aspb.org .
- Apply in 2016 by January 15 or June 15
PALM is funded by NSF Research Coordination Network in Undergraduate Biology Education grant #1539870
