Teacher Professional Development
COVID-19 Contingency Notice
If possible, the program will run as expected and described. However, given the COVID-19 pandemic, the program format may change. This may result in the program being virtual or a hybrid of virtual and on-campus. The program’s duration may also be impacted. We will provide updates as more information becomes available closer to the program start date. For additional details, please see below.
All teachers participating in a summer program or internship at Fred Hutch must be fully vaccinated* against COVID-19, and agree to follow all COVID-19 safety guidelines while on campus. Proof of vaccination will be required.
*Please note that only the primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine is required; booster vaccines are not required at this time.
At the Fred Hutch Science Education Partnership, we provide professional development for secondary school science teachers to help broaden their understanding of life science research, enrich their pedagogical practices and support their growth as teacher-leaders. In order to borrow kits and supplies, teachers must complete the Summer SEP professional development workshop. However, all secondary science teachers are welcome to attend our school-year workshops or access our curriculum resources. To get updates on our programs and teaching resources, sign up for our mailing list here.
ON THIS PAGE
Summer Session | SEP Application Information | School Year Workshops
Learn more about the Science Education Partnership (SEP) at Fred Hutch
Summer Session
Our year-round program includes a 3-week professional development program (the Summer Session) in which participants learn molecular biology skills with colleagues from all across Washington state, work alongside scientist-mentors in their laboratories, and develop a curriculum project to share their experiences with their students.
Teaching Lab
Research Lab
Classroom Prep
Teaching Lab
Work with colleagues, lead teachers, and SEP staff learning the key concepts and techniques used in research laboratories, and participate in discussions about integrating research and biotechnology into the classroom.
2023 SEP Summer Application (Spokane Pilot Edition)
Middle or high school science teachers, if you are interested in learning molecular biology skills with other teachers, working alongside scientist-mentors in their laboratories, and developing a curriculum project to share your experiences with your students, apply to be part of SEP Cohort 2023! This year we will be hosting SEP Summer is a new format geared towards supporting teachers in Eastern Washington. Teachers that apply must be able to attend full day sessions in Spokane for one week. In week two, teachers will come to Fred Hutch to meet and work in their mentor’s research lab. Support for lodging in Seattle will be provided. In week three, teachers will have asynchronous time to work on their curriculum project and virtual workshops throughout the week.
The application for SEP Cohort 2023 is now open. Click the link below to apply. To view a preview of the application download this PDF. The PDF is the preview of the application and not the actual application. Please DO NOT fill out the preview and submit it in place of the online application.
Application due date extended! Applications now close March 31st, 11:59 pm PST. The Recommendation & Support Form is due by April 7th, 2023 11:59 pm PST.
2023 Program Dates
- Virtual Orientation Sat, June 17th, 2023 (times TBD)
- Summer Session (exact times TBD)
- Week 1: SEP Training in Spokane Mon - Fri, July 10-14, 2023 (location TBD)
- Week 2: Mentored Research at Fred Hutch in Seattle Mon-Fri, July 17-21, 2023
- Week 3: Virtual Training Sessions & Work Time Mon-Fri, July 24-28, 2023
- Fall Kickoff Day on Sat, September 16, 2023 (times TBD)
- Reflection Day on Sat, May 4, 2024 (times TBD)
Teacher Info Sessions
Please e-mail rwu@fredhutch.org to attend a virtual info session. Program Manager Regina Wu will be present to talk more about the program and answer any questions you may have. If none of these times work for you, e-mail the address listed to schedule a time that works better for you.
- Wed 3/29, 3:00-3:30pm PT
- Wed 4/12, 3:00-3:30pm PT
Program Schedule
April 20, 2023: Notification of acceptance
May 12, 2023: Opening Day workshop virtual session
July 10-28, 2023: SEP Summer Session at Fred Hutch in Seattle (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm)
September 16, 2023: Fall Kickoff (times TBD)
May 4, 2024: Reflection Day (times TBD)
*All times are tentative and will be confirmed closer to the dates
Requirements
During the program, participants are required to:
- Keep a laboratory notebook
- Prepare a curriculum project
- Participate in program evaluation
- Commit to attending ALL scheduled days
In addition, your district must commit one day of release time, or equivalent, as evidence of support for your application.
Program Benefits
- Participants receive a $1,500 participation award for the professional development experience.
- Upon completion of all program requirements, participants may purchase five hours of graduate level credit or fifty clock hours through through the University of Washington Department of Genome Sciences.
- Ongoing access to SEP kits, resources, technical support and surplus lab supplies for WA teachers who have completed training (in person at the SEP summer session)
Hutch Access Award
The SEP Hutch Access Award provides financial support for teachers who either:
- Come from racial and ethnic backgrounds historically underrepresented in the sciences
- Serve a large (>50%) student population from such backgrounds
- Face other significant barriers to access (for example, teachers who live in areas with limited access to scientific resources or who would otherwise not be able to attend our professional development session)
We provide a minimum of two scholarships in the amount of $3,000. If you would like to be considered, please fill out the Hutch Access Award supplemental application when you apply to the program.
Program perks:
- Participants receive a $1,000 stipend for the professional development experience.
- Upon completion of all program requirements, participants may earn five hours of graduate level credit (at low cost) through the University of Washington Department of Genome Sciences or 50 clock hours through WSTA.
- Ongoing access to SEP kits, resources, technical support and surplus lab supplies.
School Year Workshops
SEP offers workshops throughout the school year that are open to all teachers, participation in SEP Summer Session is not necessary.
Upcoming Workshops
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Kit Loan Program and Supplies
Program participants have access to the Kit Loan Program developed and maintained by SEP. Fred Hutch and other funders provide these kits to teachers, free of cost.
These kits offer SEP teachers the opportunity to share hands-on laboratory experiences with students in their classrooms, giving students a unique chance to engage in an authentic, problem-solving approach to science using the same tools and concepts utilized by researchers.
Hutch Teacher Fellows
We offer a fellowship for secondary science educators seeking an in-depth, biomedical research experience at Fred Hutch. The fellowship provides support for two summers of research, with additional school year follow-up. While this program is designed for secondary life science teachers, it’s open to other STEM teachers as well.