Biography

• The Biography is a chance for you to informally discuss why you chose your career path and to describe your personal philosophy of science teaching.
• Use an example assignment or project to illustrate your philosophy and approach to science teaching.

Essay

• In the Essay you will expand on your personal philosophy to science teaching and describe the techniques and methods you routinely use to help students understand scientific concepts and develop scientific skills.
• You might explain how you identify and build on your students’ prior knowledge and methods you use to assess student learning.
• Expand upon a few key points rather than listing everything that comes to mind.

Classroom Photo and Explanation

• Take a photograph of your classroom when it is set up for a lesson you think is representative of particularly effective teaching. Students do not need to be present.
• Explain what students will be doing in that particular lesson and the techniques you will use to help students learn the associated science concepts.
• Discuss how you meet the needs of a wide range of students in the lesson and also how you assess student learning.
• Make the case for why your approach to teaching this lesson is an effective way for students to learn.

Planned Use of Funding

• For “Use of Funds” section, the more specific the better. For example, include a realistic list of items to be bought, quantity, and cost; include a statement of which classes will benefit from and how student learning will be impacted with the purchase of these items.