Maggie Haag

For 1999/2000

The ABLE Lab Initiative Grants Committee invites proposals for grants of up to $2000 to develop and implement lab initiatives. The purpose of these grants is to encourage, support, and acknowledge developments in biology laboratory teaching at the university and college level. This past year (1999-2000) the committee received five completed applications. Three of the submissions were for innovative wet labs, one was for the development of a computer-based laboratory and one was for a curriculum review.

This year’s recipient of the Lab Initiative Grant is Leonard Pysh of Roanoke College. Leonard received a grant of $1125 for his proposal "The Power of Genetics. Using Classical and Molecular Genetics to Study ‘Real’ Developmental Phenomena." Leonard will submit a short article to Labstracts on this proposal for the Winter edition and will be presenting a major or mini-workshop on this proposal within the next two years.

Maggie Haag,
Lab Initiatives Committee Chair and President-Elect

For 2000/2001

Are you interested in submitting a Lab Initiative Grant proposal? To be eligible, candidates must be affiliated with a two- or four-year post-secondary institution as faculty, staff, or graduate student; be currently teaching (including demonstrating labs) an undergraduate-level life science course; and be able to attend an ABLE conference within the next two years to present the project as an ABLE workshop. Candidates need not be a current ABLE member. Examples of activities that are "fundable" include, but are not limited to: designing new labs, improving existing labs, developing pedagogical techniques for teaching in a laboratory setting, or developing multi-media tools (including computer aided instruction). Highest priority will be given to proposals that are innovative and adaptable to being taught at other institutions. Projects must be original work. If you plan to adapt existing material, clearly cite your source and describe how your project differs. In addition, be sure that your project clearly reflects current safety standards and animal use protocols. The grants are not for supporting normal laboratory activities of an instructor such as revising a lab manual, reviewing literature, or repairing equipment; or for one-time only activities such as field trips, guest speakers, or multi-media rentals. The grants are intended to develop lab teaching material to benefit the home institution as well as the ABLE membership.

Deadlines and Details

Proposals are to be submitted by May 1, 2001. The selection and notification of recipients will be by June 30, 2001. Proposals should include: your name and affiliation, a curriculum vitae, a description of your project, a discussion of how your lab activity will be used at your institution, and a budget. See the ABLE web site for more details. Grant recipients will be expected to submit a summary of the project with preliminary progress reports by December 15, 2000 to the editor of ABLE's newsletter, Labstracts, for inclusion in the winter issue. Grant recipients will also be asked to present a workshop at an ABLE conference within two years of the award. They may present a mini-workshop (30-60 minutes) or a major workshop (3 hours, hands-on). An additional $300 (US) stipend is given for presenting a major workshop and a waiver of the conference registration fee (~$180 US). A partial waiver of the conference registration fee (~$90 US) is given for those presenting a mini-workshop.

Address further inquiries or proposals to the Chair of the ABLE Scholarship Committee, Nancy Goodyear, Bainbridge College, 2500 E Shotwell Street, Bainbridge, Georgia 31717 (ngoodyea@catfish.bbc.peachnet.edu)

Maggie Haag, Lab Initiatives Committee Chair
CW 405 Biological Sciences Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton AB T6G 2E9
Canada