The Science Teaching Experience Program – Working in Science Education (STEP-WISE) is a mentored teaching apprenticeship for postdoctoral scholars that provides training and experience in course design and teaching using student-centered pedagogies. This program is designed specifically for postdocs who would like additional training in teaching in higher education but have 100% research appointments. Since 2011, over 200 postdocs from different UW departments and affiliate institutions have participated in this teaching apprenticeship.
STEP-WISE postdocs participate in three evening training sessions that efficiently introduce course design principles and state-of-the-art teaching strategies that are effective for students and time-saving for instructors. They work collaboratively in teams of three to co-design and co-teach their courses. Each team delivers a 9-10-class special topics seminar course (10 weeks for winter & spring; 5 weeks for summer). The program mentors observe classes and meet regularly with the postdocs to discuss the strengths of their teaching and to brainstorm on strategies to address areas that need improvement. These program features allow postdocs to set and meet reasonable training and teaching goals without disrupting their research progress.
STEP-WISE seminar courses are offered at UW Seattle and at the University of Puget Sound (UPS). Some of the courses target biology majors, while others have a quantitative emphasis. At the end of the academic year, all of the postdocs come together to share their experiences and reflect on how to use them to strengthen their teaching philosophies and dossiers.
We are pleased to be able to offer STEP-WISE as a tuition-free program. STEP-WISE is supported by UW School of Medicine and the UW College of Arts and Sciences.
Please direct questions to Dr. Eva Ma or Dr. Linda Martin-Morris, Co-Directors of STEP-WISE.
STEP-WISE applications are now OPEN for the 2023-24 academic year. Please click HERE to apply.