Applications are now being accepted for the 2009 Summer Institute in Life Sciences (SILS), June 29-July 24 at the University of Washington. This seminar is free for teachers in grades 3-8. SILS is a four-week, hands-on program for teaching investigative life science.

Teachers engage in open-ended inquiries with living organisms, design experimental investigations, prepare a research poster as a teaching tool, and develop an inquiry curriculum unit. The focus is on practical ideas and tools for teaching life science (especially biodiversity and ecology), and features weekly field trips to local environments of interest. SILS also includes a site visit to each school and a one-day follow-up workshop at the University of Washington during the school year.

And, SILS is FREE! All instructional costs are covered by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Teachers completing the program receive seven credits of BIOL 491. Teachers from schools serving predominantly low income and disadvantaged student populations are especially encouraged to apply.

Apply on-line for SILS 2009:

https://catalysttools.washington.edu/webq/survey/uwhhmi/68321

Application deadline is April 1, 2009