Scientists in Residence

A scientist’s work is generally demanding and time-consuming — they often don't have the time and resources to reach out to the general public.  The Scientist-in-Residence program provides a venue for sharing their hard work with the larger community, outside of academia, through sessions with schoolchildren, workshops for teachers, as well as public talks, workshops, and informal conversation.

Through a Scientist-in-Residence program at IslandWood, scientists will engage students in their field of research during our 4-day School Overnight Program. They may also have an opportunity to share their work  with the public during evening and/or weekend community programs. Scientists working on current or previous research projects can share their work with others through activities and research projects at IslandWood. We hope that the Scientist-in-Residence program will eventually host a number of on-going research projects here at IslandWood to study the effects of human and natural disturbances on IslandWood biota.

IslandWood’s curriculum focuses on  integrating science with technology and the arts. We hope to find opportunities to pair scientists and artists-in-residence to work with children and adults in non-traditional ways. We hope to develop a model for this type of interdisciplinary education that can be used by other scientist/environmental education programs.

Logistics:

Each Scientist-in-Residence will stay on-site from Monday evening until Wednesday afternoon during a School Overnight Program week.  Meals and private lodging on-site will be provided, as well as travel expenses.  It is IslandWood’s vision that the scientist will integrate his/her field of study with the School Overnight Program curriculum, and will work with students to model the investigative process as it is explored through different science disciplines.  We encourage visiting scientists to engage students in inquiry-based learning, promoting critical thinking and questioning instead of common lecture methods. IslandWood educators are available and eager to consult with a Scientist-in-Residence regarding ways to create a successful and rewarding experience for everyone. As students experience the science inquiry process, they will be able to transfer their skills to the classroom or community learning projects.

Responsibilities:

• SIR will facilitate an evening program/presentation to schoolchildren one evening at the beginning of the week to the entire group attending the SOP program (70-130 students)
• SIR will work with groups of students in the field during 2 days of the IslandWood residency on a project or investigation in their field of study
• The SIR may have an opportunity to provide a workshop for teachers, graduate students, or IW staff in their area of expertise.
• The SIR may provide guidance and materials for IslandWood staff to create our own curriculum materials in the SIR’s field of study.  This can be accomplished from the scientist’s home institution.

Eligibility:

Resident applicants are selected on the basis of relevant field of research science, as well as on teaching experience, academic merit, and organizational mission.  The application process will be on-going throughout the year.  Scientists interested in a residency during the School Overnight Program will be scheduled from September through June.  Scientists interested in teaching in community programs will be scheduled during the summer months.

To apply, please send the following documents:

• A current CV or resume, highlighting teaching and presentation experience
• A lesson plan or description (2 pages max) of how students will be engaged in science during a 75 minute session, including a list of required materials.

Past Scientist-in-Residence Participants

• Art Kruckeberg, botanist and regional expert on Puget Sound natural history
• Brian Sherrod, geologist, USGS
• Eric Stockdale, wetlands ecologist, WA Department of Ecology
• Nalini Nadkarni, forest canopy expert, Evergreen State College
• Jim Stretch, marine ecologist, Bainbridge Graduate Institute
• James Chandler, Salmon in the Classroom Coordinator, WA Department of Fish and Wildlife
• Larry Telles, fisheries biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Alison Kwok, sustainable architecture, University of Oregon
• Don Norman, wildlife biologist/environmental toxicologist, private consultant

Stipend:  not currently available; food, lodging, and local transportation costs provided

Inquiries and applications may be directed to the Scientist-in-Residence Coordinator, Greg Schayes, at gregs@islandwood.org or 206-855-4370.