1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. UMD Student Health Plan
United Health Care
~$1500/year – covered for Fellow only
(plan and major medical supplemental)
University Health Center + Preferred providers + non-Preferred Providers

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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

9. Documenting the STE
Maintain Journal of teaching experiences – Fall & Spring
Turn in Journal in December/May
Prepare final 2 page “Teaching Philosophy”

10. Application Process
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 ( 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

11. GAANN Application Form
Posted at
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?

12. 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.