Education Board

2013 Education Planning Calendar (pdf)
Education Board Overview (10-slide presentation)
Education Board Organization (powerpoint)

A strategic goal of the ASM is to educate individuals at all levels in the microbiological sciences. The Education Board endeavors to reach that goal through member generated initiatives. It supports both student and faculty development through fellowships, online publications, conferences, workshops, and institutes, and networking opportunities.

2013-2016 Education Board Strategic Plan
Outline of the Education Board's mission, core values, visions, key constituents, challenges and opportunities, strategic issues and goals.

Mission

The Education Board’s mission is to (i) promote access, excellence, professional development, and advancement in microbiology education; (ii) promote community among microbiology students, postdoctoral scientists, educators, researchers, and practitioners; and (iii) lead microbiology education worldwide

Core Values

The Society’s core values provide the ethical and professional framework for the mission and fundamental aims of the Society. These include service, leadership, quality, and diversity

The Board has identified one guiding principle that is unique to microbiology education and provides direction throughout the 21st century. The guiding principle states, "We believe that continued development of an educator’s intellectual, scholarly, technical, and creative capabilities are essential. For this reason, we are committed to life-long learning."

Key Constituents

The Board’s key constituents are students and educators at the following levels:

• Kindergarten through high school
• Undergraduate
• Graduate
• Postdoctoral

In addition, the Board serves:

• Researchers
• Practitioners
• Professional institutions

Strategic Goals (last updated October 2012)

Goal 1.    Promote the importance of microbiology as a discipline

Goal 2.    Promote the diversity of career opportunities in microbiology

Goal 3.    Promote recognition of the scholarship of teaching and learning

Goal 4.    Improve the teaching of microbiology

Goal 5.    Promote programs for students and postdoctoral scientists in microbiology

Goal 6.    Promote programs for educators

Goal 7.    Collaborate with other ASM committees, branches, etc., to increase participation in education

Goal 8.    Increase participation of individuals from underrepresented groups in microbiology

Goal 9.    Sustain effective communication about Board activities

Goal 10.   Increase volunteer involvement, staff support, and financial resources to sustain Board programs

Goal 11.   Assess the effectiveness and impact of Board programs

Vision

The Board‘s vision for the 21st century:

• Students, postdoctoral scientists and educators will understand and appreciate the roles of microorganisms and their significance in the environment, industry, and health profession
• ASM members will actively encourage the entrance and success of all students into microbiology
• The community of microbiologists will be inclusive and diverse
• Microbiology will be incorporated into science curricula from kindergarten through postgraduate and professional education
• The Board will lead the development and worldwide dissemination of microbiology education resources
• The Board will advance the use of technology for education
• The Board will lead life-long learning and career progression for microbiologists

Committees of the Education Board

• The Committee for K-12 Outreach develops educational initiatives that promote excellence in K-12 education. Its activities include sponsoring workshops at national teacher organizations, maintaining a clearinghouse of classroom and outreach activities about the microbial world, and producing and disseminating career materials. Dave Westenberg, Ph.D., of Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla, Missouri) chairs the committee.
• The Committee on Graduate and Postdoctoral Education provides leadership and direction in doctoral and postdoctoral education and aims to increase the number of students who enter and succeed in graduate and postdoctoral programs. Its activities include sponsoring and/or supporting the ASM/CDC Program in Infectious Disease and Public Health Microbiology, ASM Kadner Institute for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scientists in Preparation for Careers in Microbiology, and ASM Scientific Writing and Publishing Institute. It also maintains the ASM Graduate and Postdoctoral Opportunities Website. Cynthia Nau Cornelissen, Ph.D., of Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, Virginia) chairs the committee.
• The Committee on Minority Education develops educational initiatives that promote recruiting, fostering, and retaining underrepresented and underserved faculty and students in the microbiological sciences. Its activities include sponsoring the ASM Undergraduate Research Capstone (UR-Capstone) Program and ASM Robert D. Watkins Graduate Research Fellowship  and supporting the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. Mary Sanchez Lanier, Ph.D., of Washington State University (Pullman, Washington) chairs the committee.
• The Committee on Undergraduate Education focuses on advancing excellence and scholarship in undergraduate biology education. Its activities include sponsoring the ASM Conference for Undergraduate Educators (ASMCUE), Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education (JMBE), ASM Undergraduate Research Fellowship (ASM-URF), Biology Scholars Program, and Faculty Development Programs. Susan M. Merkel, Ph.D., of Cornell University (Ithaca, New York) chairs the committee.
• The Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education (JMBE) Editorial Committee provides direction, oversight and management for the journal. JMBE publishes original, previously unpublished, peer-reviewed articles. The scientific scope of the journal is rooted in microbiology while branching out to biology. The educational scope of the journal is primarily undergraduate education; however, articles that feature good pedagogy and good design used in kindergarten through high school education or graduate and professional (e.g., medical school) education may also be featured. Christopher J. Woolverton, Ph.D., of Kent State University (Kent, Ohio) chairs the committee and is editor-in-chief of the journal.
• The MicrobeLibrary Editorial Committee directs and manages MicrobeLibrary resources for undergraduate biology education. These resources are held in four collections: the Gallery (images, videos, and animations to enhance lecture or lab presentations), Visual Media Briefs (short communications with digital images, animations, and videos about the microbial world), Laboratory Protocols (information briefs about standard lab tests), and – coming in fall 2013 – Critical Thinking Question Bank (multiple-choice questions designated minimally at level three [application] in Bloom’s Taxonomy). Susan Bagley Ph.D., of Michigan Technological University (Houghton, Michigan) chairs the committee.