Summer Research Institute I (SRI-I) is a 5-week research experience at the University of Oklahoma (OU) in Norman. It introduces teachers to a genuine research dynamic and learning model that they can bring back to their classrooms. The content of SRI-I focuses on basic principles of biology and inquiry with applications to a variety of fields relating to health and the environment.

Summer Research Institute II (SRI-II) is a 6-week research experience at the Noble Foundation in Ardmore, Oklahoma for teachers who have completed SRI-I. SRI-II builds upon SRI-I techniques and concepts and allows teachers to continue their experience with a focus principally on plant biology, genetics, and biotechnology.

Return to Science reinforces SRI-I and SRI-II experiences by allowing scholars to return for continued research experience at OU or the Noble Foundation.

The summer research experiences encourage teachers to combine newly acquired research skills with their pedagogical expertise. The result is a new, scientifically rigorous approach to pre-college science education created by and for classroom teachers in partnership with research scientists.

The OSP learning model emphasizes experimental science carefully designed for the pre-college science classroom. Participating teachers will develop and share classroom lessons based on their research experiences.

OSPNet and OSPeLAB use information technology (videoconferencing, electronic notebooks, and the World Wide Web) to network classrooms throughout the state, encourage collaboration, alleviate the isolation of rural science classrooms, and provide mentoring and support for novice teachers.

The Summer Research Institutes, lesson development, OSPNet, and OSPeLAB provide opportunities for long-term professional development that involves teachers in scientific research, science education, and the larger scientific community.

What Can the Oklahoma Science Project Do for You?
OSP is organized around the needs of secondary school (grades 9-12) science teachers. OSP builds teacher confidence in emerging fields of biology content and research processes by providing laboratory experience in concert with long-term mentoring and encouragement.

The Summer Research Institutes introduce teachers to a research dynamic, many for the first time. The SRI-I content at OU focuses on basic biological research techniques and principles. At the Noble Foundation, SRI-II focuses on plant biology, genetics, and biotechnology. Research projects within these broad subject areas are carefully designed to be interesting, address fundamental aspects of biology and chemistry and their implications for health and society, and introduce information technology pertinent to the pre-college science classroom, such as the use of electronic notebooks (OSPeLAB). Teachers occupy their own laboratory space in order to take advantage of peer interaction. OSP staff members are on hand to provide technical assistance and essential background. As teachers develop laboratory skills, they collaborate with research scientists, each other, and OSP staff to develop their experiments into classroom-compatible lessons.

Participating teachers are provided with a laptop computer at the start of SRI-I. These computers remain with the teachers and are intended for their own classroom use. When teachers return to their classrooms, they are a mouse-click away from assistance and advice provided by OSP staff via OSPNet and videoconferencing. This network can be especially useful in supporting teachers as they try new research techniques in their classrooms.

How Can You Participate?
Each Summer Research Institute is limited to four teachers. You must teach in an Oklahoma public high school in the academic year you apply. Prior research experience is not required, nor does such experience guarantee a favorable application decision. Most applicants teach biology but chemistry teachers frequently participate as well. Having teachers from more than one discipline is a way to encourage the development of cross-disciplinary science lessons. The Project is intended mainly to benefit rural teachers, but any interested teacher is encouraged to apply, particularly teachers in districts with large Native American populations. First consideration will be given to teachers whose superintendent or principal has completed the OK-ACTS Leadership Development Program. SRI-II applicants must have completed SRI-I.

The application form can be found on this Website (download pdf application), the OSP Website (www.okscienceproject.org) and the K20 Center for Educational and Community Renewal OK-ACTS Website (www.k20center.org). You may also contact Janis Slater, Oklahoma Science Project, K20 Center for Educational and Community Renewal, 1627 Cross Center Drive - Kelly House, Norman, Oklahoma 73072, phone # (405)325-0447. Applications are due by Monday, March 24, 2006. All applicants will be notified of the selection decision by April 17, 2006.

What Else Do You Need to Know?
The Project provides a stipend of $2,200 plus housing for the five-week SRI-I and OU Return to Science Program. SRI-I teachers will also be provided with a laptop computer and ongoing technical support. A stipend of $3,300 plus housing will be provided for the six-week SRI-II.

The K20 Center for Educational and Community Renewal is an interdisciplinary, university-wide center with a focus on educational and community renewal in the U.S. and internationally. The Center proposes a model for educational and community renewal which squarely addresses the needs of children and families through interactive, action-oriented partnerships among schools, families, universities, and community and government agencies as opposed to isolated entities. The model is based upon the promotion of the democratic education IDEALS – Inquiry, Discourse, Equity, Authenticity, Leadership, and Service, and grounded in the knowledge base on school and community partnerships. The K20 Center and the University of Oklahoma Department of Botany and Microbiology are partners in the OSP SRI-I and OU Return to Science programs. The Botany and Microbiology Department maintains a vigorous teaching and research program. Information on the scope of the diverse research taking place in the department of Botany and Microbiology can be found at www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro.

The Noble Foundation operates in part to enhance agricultural resource management and plant productivity through basic and applied research and education using consultation and demonstration. Additional information regarding the Noble Foundation can be found at www.noble.org.

The Project occupies laboratories at each of the institutions, the Department of Botany and Microbiology research laboratories at George Lynn Cross Hall (OU) and the Noble Teaching Laboratory (Noble), which are fully equipped for research projects tailored to the needs of secondary school science teachers. These laboratories promote peer interaction, which contributes to the learning environment and often leads to collaboration. The OSP staff is available full-time during the Summer Research Institutes, the Return to Science program, and during the school year to provide guidance and assistance.

• SRI-I, SRI-II, and Return to Science Applications Due – March 24, 2006
• Notification of Selection – April 27, 2006
• SRI-I and Return to Science Dates at OU – June 3 to July 28, 2006
• SRI-II at Noble – June 12 to July 21, 2006