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2008 Biogen Idec Foundation Summer Internship Program for Teachers

Science teacher Ann Marie Wellhouse, pictured here with her mentor Justin Chartron of the Stout lab. Read about her experience here.

Program Description

The Summer Research Internship Program for Teachers at The Scripps Research Institute has been created to expose teachers to current laboratory techniques and procedures, provide information on a variety of contemporary issues in basic biomedical research, create ties and linkages to working scientists who can assist them in curriculum development, and create opportunities for teachers to share information and knowledge with their peers.

Teachers will conduct basic biomedical research in a laboratory under the supervision of a Scripps Research scientist. The program emphasizes the scientific process, research planning, bench experience, experimental design, data analysis and interaction with laboratory personnel. As an adjunct to their day-to-day responsibilities, participants will be required to attend specially-designed programs and field trips throughout the course of the summer. In addition to the intensive, hands-on eight-week summer program, teachers are expected to use the laboratory experience as a springboard to create opportunities in discovery-based learning for their students, effect change in their classrooms and serve as a resource for other educators. They must demonstrate their willingness to pursue year-round follow-up activities based on the summer experience.

The Scripps Research Institute, located in La Jolla, is one of the nation's largest private, not-for-profit biomedical research institutions, with an international reputation in the areas of immunology, molecular biology, chemistry, cell biology, autoimmune disease, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and the neurosciences. In addition to its longstanding commitment to the training of postdoctoral fellows, the Institute has a graduate program leading to the conferral of doctoral degrees in the chemical and biological sciences.

Eligibility

Research internships are awarded on a competitive basis to United States citizens or permanent residents teaching science at the secondary level in San Diego County.

Compensation

Teachers are awarded a gross compensation of $22.50 per hour for the eight-week program (not to exceed 320 hours).

Program Parameters

Teachers are expected to work in the laboratory for an eight-week period, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week, from late June through mid August. In addition to attending specially designed programs during the summer, they are expected to:

• Submit bi-weekly reports on their projects to their research mentors.
  
  
• Submit a written technical report at the conclusion of the program.
  
  
• Make an oral presentation at the conclusion of the program.
  
  
• Develop a follow-up plan for the next academic year outlining how they will translate their experience in the program into the classroom; submit written updates on a quarterly basis during the following academic year; maintain close ties with TSRI mentor to achieve specifically stated goals related to discovery-based learning.
  
  

Application Procedures

Candidates must submit:

1. A completed application form;
2. A letter of recommendation from the school principal and/or department chairman.
3. A current resume.

Return completed application materials to:

Marisela Chevez
Office of Communications
Mail Code: TPC-30
The Scripps Research Institute
10550 North Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, California 92037

Phone: (858) 784-2171
Fax: (858) 784-8136
E-mail: mchevez@scripps.edu

Applications must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2008.

Click here for online application form