ECOS Program - The University of Montana

PhD Fellowships through The ECOS Program

$27,500/yr fellowsh ip plus tuition allowance (up to $10,500)

APPLICATION DETAILS:
Deadline February 3, 2006; Notification anticipated March 1, 2006.

Join the ECOS Team! TEN Fellowships for PhD students are available for AY 2006-2007. You are eligible if you:

are a PhD student at UM – research focus in the ecological or environmental sciences (preferably with some field component/expertise), and have successfully completed course work in the ecological sciences.
are a US citizen.
have completed AT LEAST one year of your PhD program, and are in good standing.
have PhD course work plan and a pre-proposal approved by graduate committee.
will be based in Missoula from June 1, 2006 – May 31, 2007.
can demonstrate a passion for promoting enhanced understanding of environmental sciences in the Northern Rockies.

What will you do as an ECOS Fellow? You will work as an “Ecologist in Residence” in a local school (kindergarten through 12th grades) to:

1) Work as part of a team to promote scientific ways of thinking and understanding in K-12 students through authentic research experiences in their schoolyards and adjacent habitats
2) Model teaching practices focused on “learning by doing” and inquiry instruction
3) Develop and model linkages between educators in the K-16 continuum
4) Develop school demonstration projects that link the study of ecology in the schoolyard with the classroom
5) Contribute to the development of unique ECOS Resources such as “The Guide to the Natural History of the Northern Rocky Mountains”, the “Ask an Ecologist” web site, and ecological lessons specially designed for local schools
6) Create a national model of how authentic research can be introduced into the K-16 curriculum to enhance the teaching and learning of science.
7) Share what you have learned in a chapter of your dissertation, the peer-reviewed literature, scientific and education conferences.

What are the main required commitments during the ECOS Fellowship year?

80 hours/month June - August 2006
20 hours/week working in partner schools or project team workshops/activities during the academic year (about the same time commitment as a UM teaching assistantship)
Full participation in 2.5 week-long summer training workshops/seminars
Enrollment in Ecological and Conservation Education Seminar (Bio 595) in Fall and Spring
Chapter in Dissertation about the ECOS Fellowship outcomes and experience
Support of PhD advisor and committee
Enrollment in at least 9 credits during the academic year

For more Information, Contact: Jen Marangelo, Project Associate, 243-6016, jen.marangelo@mso.umt.edu; or Dr. Carol Brewer, ECOS Director, at carol.brewer@umontana.edu