Program Description

Program Details

Application for a Pair of Math and Biology Teachers from Same School

Application for a Pair of Math and Biology Teachers from Different Schools

Application for Individual Teachers

BMCI Staff

General Information

About DIMACS

FAQ

Links

BMCI '04 Home

BMCI '05 Home

BMCI '06 Home

 

DIMACS Bio-Math Connect Institute

DIMACS is a NJ Department of Education Professional Development Provider.

Working towards integration of education and research in the mathematical and computational sciences and the biological sciences.

Colorado Institute of Technology
July 16 - July 28, 2006

Program Description:

WHY THIS PROGRAM?
THE INTERFACE BETWEEN THE BIOLOGICAL AND THE MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL

Modern biology has changed dramatically in the past two decades. Driven by large scientific endeavors such as the human genome project, it has become very much an information science, closely tied to tools and methods of the mathematical sciences. New algorithms and mathematical models played a central role in sequencing the human genome and continue to play a crucial role as biology develops models of information processing in biological organisms. Increasingly, undergraduate and graduate students are being exposed to this interplay between the mathematical and biological sciences. In high schools, the biology curriculum has made some advances by including such things as genetics and the human genome project, and even some of the mathematics in the Mendelian genetics model. There are also a few isolated efforts to bring biological examples into the mathematics classroom. But high schools are lagging behind. Current efforts need to be supported and new efforts developed to bring high school education up to speed in the integration of mathematics and biology. Students need to be exposed to the excitement of modern biology from both the biological and mathematical point of view. They need to be informed of the new educational and career opportunities that are arising from the interface between these disciplines. Introducing high school students to the interface between the biological and mathematical sciences will not only enhance the study of biology, but also the study of mathematics. Students interested in studying biology will realize the importance of understanding modern mathematics. New horizons will be opened for those who might find mathematics interesting, but wonder how it might be useful.

THE PROGRAM

This will be an exploratory two-week program featuring high school mathematics teachers (including those teaching computer science and statistics) and biology teachers. Participants will work in pairs consisting of teachers from the two disciplines. We prefer applications from a pair of teachers from the same school. However, you may apply with a colleague from another school. If you apply as an individual, we will pair you up with a faculty member from the other discipline. Math teachers will get a short tutorial on modern biology. Biology teachers will get a short tutorial on certain relevant topics in mathematics. All teachers will be introduced in depth and together to topics in computational biology and bioinformatics. They will learn about sequence alignment algorithms, finding the smallest number of mutations of a certain type to switch one sequence into another, algorithms for finding a sequence from its fragments, reconstruction of phylogenetic (evolutionary) trees, RNA structure prediction, and other mathematical techniques. They will also learn how mathematical modeling can be applied to the problems of stopping the spread of infectious diseases, defense against bioterrorist attacks and controlling environmental pollution. Computer lab sessions will introduce participants to key software tools of bioinformatics such as BLAST.

In the second week of the program, one group of teachers will engage in a research project under the guidance of researchers in computational biology and bioinformatics. They will also prepare research experiences for their students to bring back to their schools. A second group of teachers will produce classroom materials for use in their schools and possible later inclusion in the DIMACS Educational Modules Series, under the guidance of content experts in bio-math and experts in pedagogy. In applying to participate in the program, teachers should indicate which of these two components of the program they wish to participate in.

During the 2006-2007 academic year, partners will engage in joint follow-up activities: Team teaching, experimenting with a lesson to the others' class, joint student projects. Students will report on classroom activities and projects at a conference in spring 2007.

BMCI is a national program sponsored by the Colorado Institute of Technology (CIT) and Rutgers University (RU), in collaboration with the Consortium for Mathematics and its Applications (COMAP). The program will be held at CIT in Broomfield, Colorado, just outside Denver, from July 16 - July 28, 2006. A follow-up summer program will take place in July 2007 at RU in Piscataway, NJ. We anticipate the possibility that participants will be able to return for a second summer pending funding from the National Science Foundation.

PREREQUISITES

Biology Teachers: We will require minimal math/CS background for biology teachers, providing specific introduction to needed topics during the first part of our educational program. The math/CS background needed is more about problem solving ability than about specific mathematical skills. Basic high school mathematics, including algebra, exponents, and logarithms will be required. Some comfort with algorithmic analysis is important.

Math/CS Teachers: There are no specific biology prerequisites. Modern topics in the biological sciences will be introduced during the first two days of the educational program and through a very simple web-based tutorial.

Other Details

The Education Program will be led by experienced college and university faculty and high school lead teachers-in-residence.

Participants who complete the program will receive 3 credits from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University.

Further Information for High School Teachers

Weekly Schedule:
Long weekends are built into the program. The DCI week begins each week on Sundays at 5:00 pm, local time. The remaining program week begins at 8:30 am and ends at 5:00 pm. Monday and Thursday evenings have scheduled programs or time for "homework" problems, research and mixing with researchers and other participants.

Housing and Support:
The financial support is expected to consist of hotel (in a shared room), meals and a stipend of $720 to be paid in two installments: $500 to be paid at the end of the Summer 2006 program and the remaining $220 to be paid upon completion of academic-year follow-ups.

Travel Support:
Limited travel support scholarships can be applied for on the BMCI Program application.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: A few openings are still available.
Applicants to be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until all openings are filled.
Biology teachers are especially urged to apply.


Who Should Apply?
The program is intended primarily for teachers or supervisors of mathematics or computer science or statisitcs and the biological sciences in grades 9-12. Teams of teachers from a single school in opposite disciplines are encouraged. We also welcome applications from pairs of teachers in different schools and from individuals who want us to pair them with a teacher applicant from another disipline.

Application for a Pair of Math and Biology Teachers from Same School

Application for a Pair of Math and Biology Teachers from Different Schools

Application for Individual Teachers


Page last updated May 5, 2006.