UMD GAANN Program Informational Meeting June 24, 2014 Lyle Isaacs The GAANN Fellowship Program Maryland GAANN Chemistry Scholar-Educators What does the Fellowship provide? What does the Fellowship expect? The Application Process
Dept. of Education Support Department of Education-Fellowship Program Provides Fellowships through academic departments of institutions of higher education To “graduate assistance in areas of national need (GAANN)” To students of superior ability who demonstrate financial need and plan to pursue the PhD
Maryland GAANN Program Increase and diversify the pool of graduate students enrolled within our chemistry Ph.D. program who plan to pursue a chemistry career in teaching or research Improve the training of those chemistry Ph.D. students who seek to pursue an academic career, by providing supervised teaching experiences that include experiences with lecturing, instruction in chemical education pegagogy, and mentorship of an undegraduate researcher in the research laboratory. Reduce the time for PhD Completion Provide students a competitive edge for the academic profession
What does the Fellowship provide? An annual stipend of up to $30,000. • Tuition Remission – 12 month (at a level of post candidacy tuition plus 2 credits) Mandatory UMD Fees Health Insurance – Student Plan Book/Computer Allowance – up to $1500 Travel Allowance – up to $1000
UMD Student Health Plan United Health Care ~$1500/year – covered for Fellow only (plan and major medical supplemental) http://www.firststudent.com/ University Health Center + Preferred providers + non-Preferred Providers
What does the Fellowship expect? Maryland Chemistry Scholar-Educators Pursue PhD Research Mission Training Enhancements for Professoriate Supervised Teaching Experience One Semester –Traditional Classroom Setting One Semester – Supervised mentorship of an undergraduate researcher + course in chemical education pedagogy (CHEM 608k)
STE 1 – Coursework Pedagogy and Mentorship Purpose: Gain Experience in the pedagogy of chemical education and the scientific mentorship of less experienced scientists Kick off meeting with Master teacher to discuss teaching / mentoring philosophy. Student will work with an undergraduate researcher in their laboratory and participate in the design of experiments, selection of key readings, regular meetings with the Master teacher and the UG Fellow will enroll in the CHEM 608k (2 credit) course given by Dr. Gili Marbach-Ad. End of Semester: Poster presentations by UG.
STE 2 - Lecture Semester Record Observations/Experiences in Journal Kick-off Meeting with Master Teacher *Discuss teaching philosophy *Identify 3-week course segment for observation/lecture 3-week Course Segment (~6 hrs/wk for 3-wk period) *Observe 3-4 continuous lectures *Prepare & deliver ≈4 lectures *Obtain non-evaluative “feedback” from the professor Semester Long Content Development (2-4 hrs/wk throughout semester) *Develop course content materials (e.g. exam problems, clicker questions, online material) *Collect & Analyze Data on Student Performance Record Observations/Experiences in Journal
Documenting the STE Maintain Journal of teaching experiences – Fall & Spring Turn in Journal in December/May Prepare final 2 page “Teaching Philosophy”
Application Process Email Elizabeth Hontz by June 30 to let us know you plan to apply Complete the GAANN Application form by July 11 – Turn in to Graduate Office Apply for FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov) by July 11 Arrange for a letter of reference from current UMD research advisor, describing your aptitude for research and teaching Arrange for one (1) letter of reference from another professor or an instructor for whom you served as a Teaching Assistant describing your aptitude for and commitment to teaching
GAANN Application Form Posted at http://www.chem.umd.edu/graduateprogram/awardsandfellowships Applicant Responses: Summary of Dissertation Topic (400 words) Short Essays: B. Describe all prior teaching experiences. Be sure to include classroom (e.g. TA), laboratory (e.g. undergraduate mentor, REU Program), and informal experiences (tutoring, etc.). C In your view, which are the important qualities that make an effective instructor? D. In this Program, you will have the opportunity for Supervised Teaching Experiences under master teachers. For which courses are you most interested in gaining these experiences and why? E. Describe your professional goals. What kind of position do you wish to occupy in 3 years time? In 10 years time?
Fellowship Notification Applications reviewed by 3-Faculty Committee 5 Fellows Selected by late July Stipend Level determined by Office of Financial Aid (FAFSA) Fellowship begins August 15, 2014 pending availability of funds from the Department of Education.