Daniel Pinkham Nurturing Discovery: Biology Education for the 21 st Century A Strategic Plan for the NSF Biological Sciences Directorate BIO Advisory Committee Meeting – November 2004

Goals Broad Career Horizons – to provide a science-based education with a renewed focus on preparing students for broad career horizons. Experiential Learning – to engage students in research experiences so that they learn as researchers learn. Biosphere Literacy – to improve the ability for people to use information about the biological systems of the natural world in daily life. Biology Education for the 21 st Century Priorities to Build Capacity Integration Increased Diversity Curriculum Reform Mentor Training

The Six Big Questions How should existing and planned BIO activities be judged? Should we change the vertical balance of our investments? Where should partnerships be pursued? What new activities should be considered to address voids in our portfolio? What undercapitalized activities should be enhanced? Where should we step back and get independent evaluations and advice? These questions were used to organize recommendations Biology Education for the 21 st Century

The Recommendations – 1 of 2 How should existing and planned BIO activities be judged? Program tracking and planning Should we change the vertical balance of our investments? Enhance weaker parts of portfolio Where should partnerships be pursued? E HR; other directorates, agencies and institutions Biology Education for the 21 st Century

The Recommendations – 2 of 2 What new activities should be considered to address voids in our portfolio? Discovery Communities; Community College Educators; Year of UG Research; Integrative Leadership Fellowships What undercapitalized activities should be enhanced? Mentoring & Mentor Training; RET-Sites; LTER Schoolyard Where should we step back and get independent evaluations and advice? Curriculum Reform; Minority HS Students; CRUI & UMEB; DDIG Biology Education for the 21 st Century

Early Actions LTER Schoolyard Science – modest budget increase planned for FY05 HS Students in Research Settings - Planning for workshop Community college faculty - Dear Colleague Letter; Research Opportunity Awards Partnerships – plans to seek near-term common objectives with E HR Biology Education for the 21 st Century

Future Considerations  ‘Bundling’ of recommendations  Timing – how near-term actions enable and constrain longer-range plans  Coordination and partnering opportunities  Integration with objectives for Broadening Participation Biology Education for the 21 st Century

BIO Senior Management Education Strategy Retreat for Planning and implementation Biology Education for the 21 st Century Next Steps

Biology Education for the 21 st Century Thank you for your input and support!