This project is a three and one half year program to enhance the teaching of 75 secondary biology teachers from six counties in the state of New York. This will be accomplished via three, three week, summer institutes to be held at Elmira College and by follow-up support services offered during the following academic years. The program will emphasize an experimental, multidisciplinary, hands-on approach to the teaching of secondary biology; cooperative learning will also be employed. Four content areas will be covered in each summer institute, including biochemistry, human physiology, molecular biology and immunology. The primary objectives of the program include curriculum enhancement and tie-in to other scientific disciplines, development of a more experimental outlook on biology, and increased creativity skills. Project staff will monitor implementation progress during the academic year and will be available to assist participants in this phase of the project. Cost sharing equals 17.7% of the NSF award.
