Teaching data literacy with natural history collections

[Melanie Colón]

iDigBio (via the Education and Outreach Working Group), Kurator, AIM-
UP!, and BLUE in partnership with QUBES are pleased to offer a unique
networking and professional development opportunity for teaching faculty
interested in incorporating real natural history collections data into
their lessons and data literacy skills into their curricula. Anticipated
involvement runs from April through the fall semester of 2017. During
this Faculty Mentoring Network we will be testing, customizing, and
extending a series of biodiversity collections-based modules that
address fundamental biological principles using real data. These modules
have been developed by members of AIM-UP and BLUE (visit here to see the
featured modules). Participants will work in a team to optimize and
implement selected materials that complement their specific curriculum.

Who Should Apply: We are looking for engaged and enthusiastic faculty
and instructors of undergraduate biology who want to bring real
collections-based data into their classrooms. We are especially keen to
introduce new people to the biodiversity collections community, so if
you are not yet familiar with natural history collections, and their
associated data, we welcome your interest and potential participation.

The majority of the network activities will take place virtually, but
there will be a 2-day kick-off workshop in Gainesville, Florida, May 24-
25. All accepted applicants must be available to attend the workshop,
commit to the length of the FMN, plan to implement a module in their
fall 2017 classroom, and share developed materials. Lodging and meals
for the workshop will be provided. Some funding is available to offset
travel to the May meeting, but we encourage participants to acquire
additional funds.

Requirements:

1. Be teaching in a college biology (or other related classes like
ecology, evolution, taxonomy...) course for fall 2017.
2. Incorporate at least one of the modules into their course during the
fall 2017 semester.
3. Be able to commit 1-2 hours every week to the project. This includes
virtual meetings April - December 2017.
4. Attend the entire kickoff workshop in Gainesville, Florida, May 24-
25, 2017.
5. Be willing to share modified resources created during the network.
6. Participate in evaluation of the network.

Benefits of Participation:

-Develop, implement, and assess effective materials and innovative
pedagogical practices for teaching with collections data and
incorporating data literacy skills into the classroom.
-Build collaborations with experts in biodiversity collections data and
data literacy skills.
-Work as a community of practice with diverse colleagues at both an in
person meeting in Gainesville, FL and through a 9 month collaboration in
a FMN.

All teaching faculty and instructors are encouraged to apply. Faculty
from community colleges, two-year institutions, and Minority-Serving
Institutions (MSIs) are especially encouraged to apply.


Ready to apply now? Visit: https://qubeshub.org/groups/nhc_fmn


Questions? Attend the Informational Webinar on January 26, at 1:00 pm ET
at https://idigbio.adobeconnect.com/eo

Contacts: Molly Phillips (mphillips@flmnh.ufl.edu) or Anna Monfils
(monfi1ak@cmich.edu)