The Teacher as Investigator: K-12 Teacher Research and Learning Program
at Northern Arizona University
 

Northern Arizona University introduces The Teacher as Investigator: K-12 Teacher Research and Learning Program at Northern Arizona University. This program presents a unique opportunity for teachers to become part of a collaborative research team comprised of university science or mathematics faculty and undergraduate students. Teachers will experience first-hand the process of inquiry while deepening content knowledge related to the research area.

Teacher Research Fellows will be immersed in the research experience while being exposed to cutting edge techniques and working to answer important questions. This experience is scheduled from June 5 through July 3, 2007 in Flagstaff, AZ.  Up to 5 additional weeks may be negotiated.  Fellows are expected to work full-time. The definition of full-time will vary from lab to lab: for some projects it will mean M-F, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM; for other labs, full-time may involve evenings and weekends. Fellows will be working on projects that also include undergraduate students funded under the NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Program (REU) and other undergraduate research projects. For research areas and an idea of the breadth of projects, see undergraduate research project websites:

• Environmental Sciences Shima’ nahasdza’a’n bee ‘iina’ (Mother Earth Gives Life)

• Astronomy

• Mathematics

• Behavioral and Conservation Sciences

• Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology

Two nights each week, fellows will work together with one another and with education faculty to deepen their understanding of inquiry and pedagogy, and to develop strategies to take the process and excitement of research back to their classrooms.  To maintain the professional learning community that will form in the summer, the Teacher Research Fellows will continue to collaborate with each other during the school year through the development and refinement of lesson plans and the development of presentations to state level professional associations.

Participating teachers will receive:

• Stipend - $1000/week of participation
• Subsidy for lodging and food - $123/day plus $150 travel subsidy (one time)
• Credit – 6 credits of Graduate Research, 3 credits of SCI 611: Curriculum and Instruction, costs of tuition, fees, and books provided by the grant
• $500 classroom materials/equipment budget
• Conference registration and travel/lodging support to attend the annual meeting of the Arizona Science Teacher Association or the Arizona Council of Teachers of Mathematics (required)

Teachers in high-need and rural school districts are strongly encouraged to apply. This opportunity is limited to 14 teachers. Review of applications will begin on May 12, 2007.  Notification of program acceptance is anticipated by May 21, 2007.

Download the Application here:
Teacher as Investigator Application (.doc)
Teacher as Investigator Application (.pdf)

Download a flier:
Teacher as Investigator flier

This project is a collaboration between the College of Engineering and Natural Sciences and the Center for Science Teaching and Learning, both at Northern Arizona University, and is funded by the Science Foundation Arizona.