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Collaborating with ISEE on Grant Applications

There is a range of ways that ISEE collaborates with PIs to obtain new grants. PI’s can include the professional development of a graduate student or postdoc in the budget, they can support a team that designs and teaches an innovative activity for undergraduates, or ISEE can work directly with the PI to develop something new. It is requested that PIs notify ISEE of any plans to include the institute in their grants, and should work directly with ISEE on budget and narrative for anything beyond basic participation in ISEE programs.

The two most basic ways that PIs can plug into ISEE’s infrastructure are:

  • Write in support for one graduate student or postdoc to participate in ISEE’s Professional Development Program (PDP). The PDP is a transformative experience that participants use throughout their careers. The supported candidate is placed on an appropriate team along with 2 or 3 other participants, who will work together to design and teach an inquiry unit. Each annual cycle of the PDP is approximately a 100-hour time commitment. The cost of the PDP includes a $3500 registration fee, plus travel and accommodation expenses. The program requires on site attendance at the 4-day Inquiry Institute held in Monterey, CA in March; and the 2-day Design Institute held on campus at UCSC. For UCSC participants travel costs should be figured at approximately $700, plus the $3500 registration fee for a total of $4200/person. Participants in the PDP learn how to develop curriculum, teach and assess; and gain specific training in supporting students from diverse backgrounds. Approximately 20 undergraduates will be immediately impacted through the participant’s teaching experience, and when the participant enters the academic workforce, will impacts hundreds of students each year. Contact ISEE to obtain narrative to include in your proposal.

  • Write in support for a team of three graduate students and/or postdocs who will participate in the PDP, and design and teach a unit that is tailored to the unique interests and needs of the PI’s grant proposal. PI’s work directly with the ISEE Director on the specifics of the unit as well as the amount to budget for these activities, which includes PDP participation costs for three people ($4200 x 3 = $12,600) plus additional supplies and a small amount for logistical coordination, but this will vary depending on the number of details to be worked out with the PI and ISEE. Two examples of this are 1) WEST; and 2) PREP, which are described in more detail below. The outcomes from supporting a team include the impact on the three individual participants supported (see above) as well as the undergraduates in the workshop that they design and teach. Contact ISEE to obtain narrative to include in your proposal.

1) Workshops for Engineer and Science Transfers (WEST)   
In collaboration with ISEE, the PI develops a WEST focused on PI’s research or disciplinary interests, which will be offered to 15-20 incoming transfer students from regional community colleges. The overall goal is to increase the diversity of the PI’s discipline by engaging students from underrepresented groups in his/her field. A team of three of our graduate students will design and teach a WEST activity, through participation in the PDP. First by attending workshops, and then working under the guidance of ISEE instructors, the team will develop a 2-day inquiry-intensive workshop specifically designed to deeply engage undergraduates in the PI’s field. The WEST will involve community college transfer students in an investigative experience, working collaboratively to solve challenging problems. Additional sessions will provide them with information and opportunities to help them succeed in a STEM major. The PDP graduate student instructors will design the WEST using strategies aimed at diversity and equity, and reinforced by education research, which is incorporated into the overall PDP experience. Through the collaboration with ISEE the PI’s team will simultaneously open opportunities for diverse undergraduates from California community college, and train three graduate students in effective, inclusive teaching strategies. These graduate students have the potential to impact thousands of students as they move into their careers.

2) Preparation for Research Experiences Program (PREP) 
In collaboration with ISEE, the PI will develop a PREP focused on the PI’s research area, which will be offered to 10-20 undergraduates about to begin a summer research experience. This activity is an ideal fit when there is an existing program or cluster of diverse undergraduates doing summer research (e.g. a Research Experiences for Undergraduates program). The overall goal is to advance diverse undergraduates into the PI’s field, and this activity will be aimed at fostering a successful research experience for students. A team of three of graduate students will design and teach PREP tailored to the specific research area, through participation in the PDP. First by attending workshops, and then working under the guidance of ISEE instructors the team will develop an inquiry-intensive 2-day PREP workshop for the undergraduates. The PREP workshop will include a well-designed inquiry activity, as well as other short activities that will help undergraduates integrate into the research environment, communicate effectively, and gain confidence in their research abilities. Through the collaboration with ISEE the PI’s team will simultaneously impact undergraduates in the PREP workshop, and train three graduate students in effective, inclusive teaching strategies. These graduate students have the potential to impact thousands of students as they move into their careers.

 

For information: Contact Lisa Hunter, ISEE Director, 831-459-2416, lhunter@ucsc.edu