Synergizing across STEM at Emory

Academic Learning Community for Spring 2019

Convener: Megan Cole, Lecturer, Department of Biology, Emory College

Wednesdays 12:00- 1:30 pm

Certain concepts and skills that are core to introductory STEM courses can be taught in slightly disparate ways between Departments and there may be missed opportunities for building cohesive understanding of fundamental concepts and the overarching process of science. During this ALC we will share lecture and lab course learning objectives and formats to identify shared and distinct objectives across departments. We will then discuss ways to synergize content and how the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of science can be incorporated into the introductory research experience for Emory students.
 
Academic Learning Communities are informal seminars that are intended to:

  • engage faculty in collaborative explorations of innovative research and teaching topics;
  • bring guest speakers to campus to enhance the curriculum and learning; and/or
  • help disseminate important research discoveries and innovative learning strategies to the broader community.

 Particulars:

  • The Seminars will meet from 12:00-1:30pm on the following dates: January 30, February 6, March 6, March 20, April 10, April 24. 
  • ALC Output:
    • Development of more unified approaches to STEM courses across Emory to use shared vocabulary and discuss concepts in coherent terms.
    • Creation of a supportive and connected community of introductory STEM educators at Emory to create infrastructure needed for continued synergy between departments with shared goals and substantially overlapping students.
    • Identify resources needed in order to synergize across departments.
    • Possibly identify interdisciplinary courses, grants or programs that could be explored to strengthen research experiences for STEM students at Emory.
    • Each meeting will balance presentations by facilitators or seminar participants with group discussions of pertinent readings.
  • Suggested readings will be loaded into Canvas prior to the session, and/or will be made available separately.
  • Up to 20 participants will be accommodated and will include both faculty and graduate students from across the university. 

 
To apply, please fill out this form HERE. 
The deadline for application is Friday, November 30.
 
Selections will be announced in early December. A limited number of spaces will be reserved for graduate students based on the relevance of their research to the topic.