Dear Colleagues,

  We are in the process of recruiting faculty for next summer’s workshop.  Please forward the announcement to colleagues at other institutions who might be interested.

Thanks,
Chris

Email: christopher.beck@emory.edu
Phone: 404-712-9012

Bean Beetle Curriculum Development Workshop

Emory University, Atlanta, GA

July 25-27, 2012

• Are you interested in the latest approaches to teaching biology laboratory courses?
• Do you want to learn about the newest animal model system for undergraduate laboratories?
• Do you want to learn the best ways to assess what your students are learning?
• Is your background in genetics, molecular biology, or developmental biology?
• Will you be teaching a laboratory course in the next academic year?

If you answered "yes" to all of the questions above, we invite you to apply to become a participant in this year's bean beetle curriculum development workshop supported by the National Science Foundation. This workshop builds on the successful development of the bean beetle (Callosobruchus maculatus) as a model system for inquiry-based laboratory courses in ecology, evolution, and animal behavior. A partial genome sequence of Callosobruchus maculatus is currently available and more sequence data will be available for the 2012 workshop. The early developmental biology of Callosobruchus is unusual in that it appears to be Drosophila-like with all segment formation occurring prior to gastrulation, unlike other beetles. This will be the final of our annual workshops. The purpose of the workshop is to introduce faculty who are currently teaching laboratory courses at US colleges and universities to this exciting new model system for teaching undergraduate laboratory courses and engage them in designing new laboratory protocols using bean beetles in the fields of genetics, molecular biology, or developmental biology. Faculty from minority-serving institutions and 2-year colleges are strongly encouraged to apply. Priority will be given to faculty who apply with a partner from their institution or a neighboring institution. Support for participants includes travel expenses, accommodations and meals during the workshop and stipends for workshop participation and completion of post-workshop activities. For more information about the Bean Beetle Curriculum Development Network, visit http://www.beanbeetles.org/network/info.html. For detailed information about the workshop and to apply to be a participant, visit http://www.beanbeetles.org/network/workshop.html. Applications will be accepted until the workshop is full. Application decisions will begin December 1, 2011. This workshop is being organized by Christopher Beck (Emory University) christopher.beck@emory.edu and Lawrence Blumer (Morehouse College) lblumer@morehouse.edu.