The archiving of the NSF RCN-UBE (Research Coordination Networks - Undergraduate Biology Education) is frustrating and shortsighted. This program has funded so many excellent projects that keep students learning on the cutting edge and provide training for faculty-teachers to stay updated. - ThreadSky

srsupp.bsky.social • 36 days ago

The archiving of the NSF RCN-UBE (Research Coordination Networks - Undergraduate Biology Education) is frustrating and shortsighted. This program has funded so many excellent projects that keep students learning on the cutting edge and provide training for faculty-teachers to stay updated.

Comments

srsupp.bsky.social•36 days ago

Projects like those funded by RCN-UBE are highly impactful to the STEM research and teaching landscape. They provide direct resources, training, and curriculum to a much larger number of people than a typical research grant, and frequently have impacts beyond the "ivory tower".

srsupp.bsky.social•36 days ago

The list of recent RCN-UBE awards shows how important this work is: Most undergraduates in biology will not go on to work in academia -- BUT wherever they go to college or end up in their careers, they need skills in data science, AI, communication, and entrepreneurship.

https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/advancedSearchResult?ProgEleCode=037Y00&BooleanElement=Any&BooleanRef=Any&ActiveAwards=true#results

srsupp.bsky.social•36 days ago

Full disclosure: I am coPI on an already funded RCN-UBE, the BEDE Network. This mean's I've seen firsthand how these groups have been able to work together to advance their goals, improve educational outcomes, and create meaningful and far reaching teacher-scholar networks across the United States.

srsupp.bsky.social•36 days ago

BEDE Network has liased with other RCN-UBE projects over the years & interacted with *hundreds* of undergrad biology instructors since 2019 for training, curricular plans, + research on the DS+BIOL landscape. Other RCNs have similar reach; an effective use funds.
https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/bede/howtojoin

doctorzen.net•36 days ago

Do you think this is related to the anti-DEIA scrubbing following Executive Orders?

srsupp.bsky.social•36 days ago

It's hard to know anything at this point. My understanding was that RCN-UBE was successful & slated to continue until very recently. Goals of the program include innovations in education, best practices, interdisciplinarity, workforce preparation, & creating an engaging learning environment for all.

doctorzen.net•36 days ago

Thank you!

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply