The Future of Science Education – A National Effort Targeting Freshmen & Sophomores

1. The Future of Science Education –A National Effort Targeting Freshmen & Sophomores Tuajuanda Jordan Howard Hughes Medical Institute ASMCUE Endicott College May 30 – June 1, 2008

2. The Science Education Alliance • Mission: To be a national resource for science education by • Developing and providing new materials and methods to the education community • Assembling and supporting educator networks engaged in common activities

3. The Ultimate Goal • Improve the production and quality of 21st-century scientists RESEARCH EDUCATION

4. Students National Genomics Research Initiative – What is it? • An authentic research experience • A collaborative enterprise targeting novice undergraduate scientists • A discovery-based genomics initiative that guides the novice from organism isolation through genome annotation • A partnership Lead scientist HHMI Science educators Institutions

5. The National Genomics Research Initiative – What are the goals? • Give students experience in genomics research in a supportive and dynamic learning environment • Empower students and faculty • Process of doing science • Tools • Real data worthy of dissemination • Foster local and national collaborations • Students • Students and faculty • Faculty members

6. The NGRI  PGRI • Why bacteriophage? • Plentifula • Highly diverse • Easily isolated directly from the environment • Relatively simple and small genomes • Lead scientist • HHMI Professor • Established outreach program • Well established techniques to • Isolate, propagate, purify, and visualize the phage • Isolate, purify, clone, and characterize the DNA aHatfull GF, et al 2006

7. The PGRI - Why underclassmen? Freshmen / Sophomores Early engagement in mentored research Encounter research results in upper-level (converted) coursework Increased #s pursuing advanced degrees and careers in biomedical science Increased production & quality of biomedical scientists

8. Send phage to sequencing center Collect soil Isolate, characterize, & purify phage Isolate & purify DNA Preliminary DNA characterization EM Draft assemblies to students Finished sequences to students Phage DNA Raw sequences Whole genome sequencing Genome finishing Jan. Mar. Genome sequences GenBank submission? Genome annotation The PGRI – How does it work? - Lead scientist poses the question of the year. Part I: in situ - Aug/Sept Early Nov. Part II: transition - Nov. Jan. Part III: in silico Jan. Apr./May

9. The PGRI – Roles & Responsibilities Lead scientist Students Scientists HHMI Science educators Institutions

10. Lead Scientist Provides scientific direction and expertise Takes lead in data analysis and assessment of scientific significance and impact Primary author on publications Science Educator (Faculty) Provides novice students Oversees student direction Ensures accuracy and integrity of student-generated data Writes draft manuscript The PGRI – Roles and Responsibilities • HHMI • Faculty training • Experimental methods, supplies, and resources • Curriculum materials • Community-building activities and resources • Assessment resources and metrics • Networking and dissemination venue • Participating institutions • Provide faculty with time and resources to design and implement course • Assist HHMI in program assessment

11. Fall 2008 Cohort Institutions Oregon State University Hope College University of Maryland, Baltimore County Carnegie Mellon University James Madison University University of California, Santa Cruz College of William and Mary University of Mary Washington Washington University at St. Louis Spelman College University of California, San Diego University of Louisiana at Monroe

12. Genomics Education National Experiments

13. Genomics Education National Experiments Harnessing the energy of a major un-tapped resource to answer questions of scientific interest

14. Genomics Education National Experiments : The PGRI • A lead scientist poses a question of scientific interest • A national network of college freshmen work to address the question • Local faculty guide these novice researchers through the process of doing science • The novice researchers gain practical experience in microbiology, molecular biology, electron microscopy, and bioinformatics • HHMI provides the resources to implement and carry out the experience

15. The National Genomics Research Initiative • Queries about the NGRI or the SEA • natexp@hhmi.org • Applications • www.hhmi.org/sea Reference • Hatfull GF, Pedulla ML, Jacobs-Sera D, Cichon PM, Foley A, et al. (2006) Exploring the Mycobacteriophage Metaproteome: Phage Genomics as an Educational Platform. PLoS Genetics2(6): e92 doi:10.1371/journal.pgen.0020092