ʻĀina-Informatics Teacher Fellows

cohort ʻekolu: SY2023-24

The ʻĀina-Informatics Teacher Fellows Cohort is a unique opportunity for Hawaiʻi life sciences teachers to access professional development and equipment support for molecular biology and genome science curriculum development.

How can we design authentic, holistic research experiences for students that deepen their curiosity for science, ʻāina and the future? Through place-based curriculum, workshops/trainings and classroom visits by genome science instructors, ʻĀina-Informatics supports teachers (and students) who want to utilize molecular techniques to analyze DNA and delve into bioethics.

This is a free, highly-differentiated PD experience that will help Fellows workshop your ideas into classroom projects that connect genomes to ʻāina, wai, ola and kai.

 

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Eligible prospective fellows should meet both of the following criteria:

  1. Any Hawaiʻi educator currently teaching life sciences, Independent Research, STEM Capstone, AP/IB Research or AP Seminar for grades 7-12

  2. Previously either (a) participated in-person at a hands-on ʻĀina-Informatics teacher workshop OR (b) hosted an in-classroom mobile lab visit.

 

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF FELLOWS?

  • Hālāwai: Attend our virtual Fellows Cohort PD workshop series in SY2023-24

    • Three full cohort meetings (no more than one meeting in a month) plus individual coaching sessions as needed (project-dependent)

  • Haku: Design and execute a genome science research-based lesson suitable for your class(es) or for student independent research

    • Fellows will be furnished with the genome science equipment, reagents and materials required to complete the lesson, as well as a ʻĀina-Informatics instructor for in-classroom support

  • Hōʻike: Present your lesson materials and reflections at Kula Aʻo Kālaiōewe 2024 , our summer genome science intensive PD (virtual option available).

    • Travel to/from and accommodations on Oʻahu for neighbor island Fellows provided

 
 

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Nothing. Mahalo piha iā Hawaiʻi Dental Service, the Public Schools of Hawaiʻi Foundation and ʻIolani School for their generous support of our Fellows.

 

WHAT DO FELLOWS RECEIVE?

  • FOR HIDOE EDUCATORS:

    • Select between a PDE3 credit option or a stipend

    • Fellows from public schools run by the HIDOE will receive the necessary genome science equipment and materials to complete their projects, furnished by the Public Schools of Hawaiʻi Foundation

  • ALL OTHER EDUCATORS:

    • Stipend upon completion of the program

    • Fellows will receive the necessary genome science equipment and materials to complete their projects, furnished by the ʻĀina-Informatics Network and our sponsors

 

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit an application to become a ʻĀina-Informatics Teacher Fellow! A key element of your application package will be a mini-proposal describing the project your lesson will be based upon. Applications due Friday, September 22, 2023.

For more information, please contact etong@iolani.org.

Past ʻĀina-Informatics Teacher Fellows

Cohort ʻElua - SY2022-23

  • Amber O’Reilly, Kahuku High School

    • Project: Characterizing the microbial community in the sediments of Loko Ea fishpond

  • Daniella Griffay, Radford High School

    • Project: Investigating bacterial communities in fish and axolotl tanks

  • Johanna Anton, Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy

    • Project: Profiling microbial communities in school garden soils utilizing Korean natural farming techniques

  • Susan Rickards, Parker School

    • Project: Development of a genetic barcoding identification system for deep sea cephalopods

Cohort ʻEkahi - SY2021-22

  • Alex Nelson, Kauaʻi High School

    • Project: Using eDNA to characterize fish populations in ʻAlakoko fishpond

  • Alyssa Bailey, ʻAiea High School

    • Project: Investigating bacterial bioindicators in Hālawa Stream following discharge of water contaminated in the Red Hill fuel tank leak

  • Dani Padilla, Castle High School

  • Justin Brown, Kealakehe High School

  • Kevin Johnson, Kauaʻi High School

    • Project: Characterizing phytoplankton communities in ʻAlakoko fishpond

  • Liz Steiner, Kapaʻa High School

    • Project: Identifying Wolbachia endosymbionts in Culex mosquitoes

  • Risha Mishima, Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy

  • Shale Shore, Hawaiʻi Technology Academy Kauaʻi

  • Tanya Cobbin, Waipahu High School