PARTICIPATION
The National Center for Science and Civic Engagement invites participation by educators, administrators, and students who believe they can benefit by learning about the SENCER approach and from involvement in the SENCER community. We welcome teams in varying stages of planning, development, or revision of courses or programs, as well as those interested in sharing results of established projects. All disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences, are represented at the Institutes.
Here are the two ways to participate in SSI 2010:
Team Participation
Groups of at least four educators, administrators, and/or students are invited to apply to participate as a team. (We have accepted teams with many members. If you are interested in bringing a team of more people than are allowed by our online application (6), please contact SENCER directly at sencer@sencer.net to submit the additional names. For those planning to bring large numbers of people [several over 10] we will consider negotiating a reduced rate to the extent possible.)
We welcome teams with participants representing more than one institution, however we do ask that all team members are listed on the application, whether submitted through our online form or via a word document.
Subject to anticipated funding, teams that attend the Institute will be eligible to apply for an implementation grant of $3,000 following the Institute.
Dedicated Team Time
The Institute will provide teams with dedicated "team time" to conceptualize a course and/or program design and develop concrete plans for implementation. SENCER encourages collaboration across the disciplines. SENCER faculty members, Fellows, and past participants will be available to provide consultations and assistance to institutional teams.
Team time included in the SSI 2010 schedule:
- The entire afternoon of Sunday, August 1st
- Hour-long sessions during the formal program on July 30th, 31st, and August 2nd
Teams also have the opportunity to participate in a Pre-Institute Intensive Team Planning Day on Thursday, July 29th from 9am-3pm, prior to the official start of SSI 2010 at 5pm. Each team will be paired with a senior member of the SENCER community who will be able to provide expertise and help to refine your plans for the coming year. The schedule will also include a primer on the theory behind SENCER, and examples of campus adaptations.
This option is especially recommended for teams new to SENCER (or teams with a substantive number of new team members). Space will be limited, and interested teams will be required to apply for a slot in advance via a selection on the SSI 2010 application. SENCER staff will notify teams accepted for the Planning Day the same day invitations for SSI 2010 participation are announced.
Individual Participation for New and Alumni Participants
New Participants:
First-time faculty members, administrators, and students from all disciplines and sectors, including primary and secondary education, are invited to apply to attend, as are representatives of foundations, non-governmental and governmental organizations, agencies, and associations.
This option of attendance is ideal for individuals who are interested in an intensive development and community building opportunity. Individual participants will benefit from joining a network of practitioners engaged in innovative pedagogical strategies focused on improving undergraduate education in the sciences and mathematics. Participation in SSI 2010 provides an ideal opportunity to determine whether full team participation in a subsequent Institute is desirable.
Alumni Participants:
Individuals who have attended an Institute in the past are invited to return to share results of their work and to plan new applications of the SENCER approach. Alumni participants report benefiting from reconnecting with the SENCER community and reporting on their work. The Institute will provide alumni with an opportunity to present their work to an audience of education professionals from across the nation. The SSI also serves as a forum to obtain feedback and seek consultation.
