APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

January 29, 2010 4 p.m. receipt deadline

The 2010 Summer Research Program Application is now closed

The 2011 Application will be available November 1, 2010

FELLOWSHIPS OFFERED: Columbia University will award up to 10 new Fellowships in 2010 to New York metropolitan area middle and high school science classroom teachers and science staff developers/instructional specialists.  These awards will support your work in research laboratories over the course of two summers (2010 & 2011). Science teachers, staff developers and science administrators who wish to participate in this program must be committed to working in a University research laboratory for eight weeks in EACH of TWO consecutive summers. The proposed fellowship stipend will be $5,000 each summer, pending sufficient program funding.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:  Applications are accepted from:

1) Science teachers currently employed in any public, independent or parochial middle or high school in the New York metropolitan area. The applicant must be committed to continue teaching in New York area schools. We are looking for dynamic, energetic and communicative professionals who show leadership and initiative in their schools, and a desire to stimulate their students, transmitting to them their enthusiasm for science and for learning.

2) Science staff developers/instructional specialists and administrators currently employed in New York metropolitan area public, private and parochial middle and high schools. The applicant must possess the qualities as outlined in #1.

Applicants must be either a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien. NO EXCEPTIONS. Proof of status will be required

SCHEDULE:  The 2010 program will begin on June 29 and conclude August 24. A series of seminars on selected topics of broad general interest will be presented for participants throughout the summer. Program participants will present their research projects during the final week of the program.

1) Electronic 2010 Research Fellowship Application

2) TWO letters of recommendation from individuals who know you and your work. One letter must be from either the head of your department or your school principal, preferably from both. Please provide the guidelines to those from whom you will be requesting recommendations. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure each letter of recommendation is placed in a separate envelope, sealed with their signature across the envelope flap and forwarded to the program with the other required documents.

3) Your CURRENT C.V. (resume). The C.V. must not exceed two pages and should include the following information:

- Education (include schools, degrees and dates)

- Professional experience (include dates & places of employment)

- Related professional experiences in addition to primary teaching experience

- Memberships in professional organizations

4) One COPY of your State or local Science Teacher Certification or License OR proof of eligibility (private and parochial school applicants may submit copies of college transcripts indicating sufficient coursework to be eligible for a science license and/or certificate).

ALL supporting documents must be returned in ONE envelope (hand deliver, US Postal Service or overnight carrier)

NOTE: Applicants who submitted a COMPLETE program application in 2009 with letters of recommendation must complete the online application for consideration in the 2010 Program. An updated C.V. (Resume) is also required (maximum two pages). Submitting new letters of recommendation and updated copies of your certification is optional.

Submit all supporting documents in one envelope to:

Summer Research Program for Science Teachers

Columbia University

630 West 168th Street, Room 11-444

New York, NY 10032

All documents must be RECEIVED no later than JANUARY 29, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.  FAXED OR E-MAILED DOCUMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.  You will receive confirmation of the Program's receipt of your completed application.

Applications will be reviewed by members of the Program’s Advisory Committee. Applicants selected for personal interviews will meet with the Program Coordinator, Advisory Committee members and at least one faculty member from a laboratory conducting research in an area of interest to the applicant. Assignment to a laboratory will be by mutual agreement of the applicant and the head of the laboratory. Applicants will be notified of their status by late April 2010.

New applications are considered INCOMPLETE without TWO letters of recommendation, a CURRENT C.V. (resume), and a COPY of your State or City Science Teacher Certification or License (or proof of eligibility).

*Please note that once you begin the application, you must complete it during the same online session. You are not able to leave and return to complete it at another time*

***We recommend that you complete the following ESSAY questions in a word processing program prior to beginning the electronic application. Once in the essay section of the application, cut and paste your responses from your word processing program into the appropriate spaces on the electronic application. Each essay question should not exceed 250 words.***

1. What strengths do you bring to teaching?

2. Describe one of your proudest accomplishments as a teacher?

3. What approaches have you used to stimulate your students' interest in science?

4. How do you think your participation in this program will enhance your ability to motivate students to learn science?