VISTA for College Science Education Faculty Members

Applications are now closed and will reopen in November 2013.

Science education faculty members are the educators who teach elementary and/or secondary science teaching methods courses. VISTA’s professional development program focused specifically for them is an investment in community building and an investment in the educators who will teach the next generation of science teachers. The intent is that this community of practice will endure and spur improvements in science education for years beyond the initial grant.

Learning and Networking Opportunities for College Science Education Faculty

VISTA offers the Science Education Faculty Academy to help build a community of practice at the collegiate level across the state. In most of Virginia’s universities, the science education faculty consists of a single person, which makes networking with other faculty across institutions crucial to remaining current in the field. At this five-day academy, participants focus on learning about new science education research, sharing effective teaching strategies, building state infrastructure, and networking to build a community of practice.

The VISTA evaluation team uses descriptive case studies and interviews to evaluate and characterize this program’s impact on building infrastructure for science education in Virginia.

Participant Support

For one year, university-level faculty of science methods courses will receive:
• Participation in five-day academy located at George Mason University
• $2,000 stipend
• Meals, travel, and lodging paid for program participation if more than 25 miles from George Mason University
• All expenses paid to attend the Virginia Science Education Leadership Association (VSELA) conference in the fall