Georgia Institute of Technology

This award is open to full-time general faculty of any rank who have excelled in teaching in the laboratory.  The “laboratory” can be broadly defined to include both traditional science labs and other formal courses that include experiential learning where students participate in the processes of investigation, analysis, and reflection in order to reach a deeper understanding of course concepts. The award recipient will receive $3000.

Timeline

• Nomination packets are due by 5:00 p.m. on the first Monday of February.
• Awards will be presented at the Faculty/Staff Honors Day Luncheon in April.
• Award winners will also be honored at the New Faculty Orientation Dinner in August.

Eligibility Criteria

• Any faculty member of any rank who teaches students in lab settings.
• Self-nominations are encouraged.   

Application Process

• The nomination packet (no more than 15 pages) should be submitted electronically as a MS Word or Adobe PDF file to Joyce Weinsheimer at joyce.weinsheimer@cetl.gatech.edu..

• The nomination packet should include the following items:
  1. A table of contents for the packet.
  2. A description of the laboratory initiative, including the goals of the laboratory instruction, the intended audience, the targeted learning outcomes, and the approach taken.
  3. A description of how the laboratory initiative has been evaluated, including documentation of how the goals were met, the extent to which the learning outcomes were achieved, and the benefits derived from the initiative.
  4. A description of the potential for others to adopt or adapt the initiative to other lab settings.
  5. The application should be accompanied by letters of support from the applicant’s department chair, from one or two colleagues who have observed the laboratory initiative, and from three to five students who have participated in the initiative.

Selection Criteria

 It will be up to the selection committee to set the exact criteria for the award. It is expected that the committee will consider the extent to which the approach to laboratory instruction does the following:

1. Enhances student learning by helping students deepen their understanding of fundamental concepts.
2. Promotes student participation in the processes of investigation, analysis, and reflection.
3. Provides opportunities for students to think about, discuss, and/or investigate/solve real world problems.
4. Engages students in collaborative problem solving.
5. Contributes to a positive student learning experience at Georgia Tech.

Number of Awards

Up to one award will be given each year.

Questions

Contact Joyce Weinsheimer at joyce.weinsheimer@cetl.gatech.edu or 404-385-7263.

Previous Winners

2012

Jacqueline Mohalley Snedeker, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering