Student Opportunity Available in Plant Ecology and G6-12 Education. Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University, Towson, MD.
In pursuit of an MS degree at Towson University, the successful candidate will undertake a floristic inventory of the newly acquired Towson University Field Station located in Monkton, MD. This 92 hectare parcel will serve as a long term ecological research site to investigate impacts of successional processes, herbivore pressure and climate change. Results from this study will serve as the foundation for future projects at this site. Additionally, for the first year of the project, the student will participate in the NSF G6-12 Fellowship Program and will contribute to a new project that is developing environmental science literacy frameworks and teaching resources for teachers and students in grades 6-12. The student will be advised by Dr. Sarah Haines (ESL Project PI) along with Dr. Vanessa Beauchamp and Dr. Roland Roberts. An ideal candidate for this position has a strong interest in science education, holds a B.S. in botany or ecology, is self motivated, works well independently, and has experience working in a field setting. The position will require long hours in the field under moderate conditions (often alone). Familiarity with Eastern North America flora and/or experience using taxonomic keys to identify plants is highly desirable. Prior experience with field research, plant sampling techniques, and data management are helpful but not required. The successful candidate will be supported for one year on a NSF G6-12 Fellowship as part of the Baltimore Ecosystem Study (BES) research and education community. The Fellowships are an integral part of the Environmental Science Literacy (ESL) Project funded by the National Science Foundation at four Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites around the nation. While supported by this fellowship, the student is expected to: • Spend 20 hours per week during the school year as a participant in the project. The school year schedule is flexible. • With a classroom teacher, develop classroom applications of ecological research being carried out during the project. • Join the ESL Project’s Research Team to participate in research into teacher and student thinking and learning. • Participate in professional development workshops during the summer and school year. • Receive on-going support from Project scientists and educators as they help 6-12 teachers implement new teaching approaches in their classrooms and schoolyards. • Participate in an annual symposium involving all participants in the project During this fellowship, the student will be supported by a stipend of $25,000 (with no tuition waiver). For the remainder of the project, the student will be supported by a teaching assistantship funded at $8,000 per year, plus a full tuition waiver, with an additional $3,000 per year available as summer support. With more than 21,000 students, Towson University is the second-largest public university in Maryland. As a metropolitan university, Towson combines research-based learning with practical application. Located in suburban Towson, eight miles north of Baltimore, our beautifully landscaped, 328-acre setting offers a pleasant environment for study and a diverse campus life, as well as easy access to a wealth of university and community resources. The start date for this position is July/September 2011 (tentative dates, some flexibility is possible). To apply for this position, send an application package that includes 1) your CV; 2) a letter of interest explaining how the experience will benefit you in your graduate career; 3) a description of your coursework background and relevant teaching experience (if any); 4) names and contact information for three references names and contact information for your academic advisor to Sarah Haines Towson University Department of Biological Sciences 8000 York Road Towson MD 21252 410-704-2926 FAX 410-704-2405 [email protected] Applications must be received by March 1, 2011.
