The workshop will begin with an opening reception on Wednesday, June 2 and will conclude with a closing dinner on Friday, June 4. The workshop will include presentations, discussions, hands-on laboratory work, and time for individual and group work. Workshop topics will include:

• Inquiry-based learning in laboratory classes
• Bean beetles as a model system
• Using bean beetles in different contexts and at different levels
• Using undergraduate research students to develop new laboratory activities
• Introduction to student assessment
• Brainstorming and initial development of new laboratory activities

Participant activities

Participants in the workshop are committing to participating in the following activities prior to, during, and following the workshop. Activities following the workshop are to be completed by partners from an institution as a team.

Prior to the workshop

• Completion of a survey on approaches to laboratory teaching
• Readings on inquiry-based learning
• Investigation of human subjects (institutional review board) policies and procedures at your institution
• Participation in pre-workshop discussions via a listserv and discussion board

During the workshop

• Full participation in all workshop sessions
• Evaluation of the workshop

Following the workshop

• Development and pilot-testing of a new laboratory activity in physiology or neurobiology using bean beetles
• Assess student understanding of the nature and process of science with established assessment instruments
• Videotape teaching of one laboratory class session
• Peer-review of other newly developed laboratory activities
• Participants will be strongly encouraged to present their newly developed laboratory activities at a national meeting and submit a manuscript to a peer reviewed publication

Support for Participants

The following support is provided for all participants in the workshop.

• Travel expenses from their home institution to Emory University
• Accommodations for 3 nights during the workshop
• All meals during the workshop, beginning Wednesday evening and ending Friday evening
• A $500 stipend for participating the workshop
• A $1000 stipend on completion of the post-workshop activities
• Limited support for equipment and supplies to implement a newly developed lab activity
• Limited support for travel to national meetings to present the results of your work