SENCER Summer Institute 2012 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 2012:

Team Participation

Groups of at least four educators, administrators, and/or students are invited to apply to participate as a team.  We welcome large teams and accept them to the extent that space permits. If you are interested in bringing a team of more people than are allowed by our online application (6), please submit your application using the Word version.  This will allow you to add information as necessary. 

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.

Teams also have the opportunity to participate in Institute Team Planning Consultations.  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 for those new to the Institute, 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), but is open to all teams.  Space will be limited, and interested teams will be required to apply for a slot in advance via a selection on the SSI 2012 application.  SENCER staff will notify teams accepted for the Planning Consultations the same day invitations for SSI 2012 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 2012 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.

More Information

Program Costs

The SSI program fee covers enrollment in all Institute sessions and intensive workshops, materials, transportation from the SSI hotel to Santa Clara University, and meals during the Institute.

The SSI program fee is $650.00 per person, or $600.00 per person for a team with at least four members.

Return to main SSI page