Research Experience for Florida High School Teachers in Plant Pathology
WHEN: July 20-25, 2025
LOCATION: University of Florida Main Campus, Gainesville, FL
See full application questionnaire
Attention High School Teachers!
In this PD experience, work with Dr. Wen-Yuan Song’s Lab on NSF-funded research in plant pathology. Dr. Song’s lab is interested in the mechanisms by which the rice Xa21 gene confers resistance against bacterial blight disease and the approaches to engineering broad spectrum and durable resistance in crops. Laboratory research is focused on molecular mechanisms of the plant immune system. In particular, the roles of protein kinases, E3 ubiquitin ligases, and transcription factors in plant immunity. Models include bacterial blight disease of rice, citrus canker disease, and citrus greening. The goal is to better utilize the plant immune system for disease control in crops.
Workshop Benefits:
- Gain expertise in general and advanced molecular biochemistry techniques.
- Potentially create lessons for the classroom related to this research content.
- Become part of a collaborative network of teachers and scientists.
- Host scientist classroom visits to integrate the content learned into the classroom.
Workshop Eligibility:
- Must be a public-school high school teacher within the state of Florida.
- Must plan to continue teaching at a public school for the 2025-2026 school year.
- Teachers who teach at schools that receive Title I funds are especially encouraged to apply.
- Must plan at least one virtual SEFS scientist visit to the classroom during the 2025-2026 school year.
Participant Support:
Participants will receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of the PD, evaluation, and scientist classroom visit as mentioned above. Traveling teachers (those outside a 50-mile radius from the UF campus) will be housed (single occupancy) at the Reitz Union Hotel courtesy of the workshop
(Funded by the National Science Foundation #2114833).
Application Process:
The application deadline to apply is April 15, 2025. Space is limited to 6 teachers. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application (selected or not) by the end of April 2025.
Instructors:
- Dr. Wenyuan Song Lab (UF/IFAS)
- Stephanie Killingsworth, Scientist in Every Florida School