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As HHMI designed the Janelia Farm Research Campus—our innovative research community in Northern Virginia—it became clear that a national science education initiative would be a logical extension of Janelia's mission. That early vision has become reality with the Science Education Alliance (SEA), a program that will extend HHMI's historic commitment to enhancing the teaching of science and inspiring new generations of scientists.
The SEA seeks to enhance scientific education and increase the numbers of scientists produced in the United States by serving as a national resource for the development and distribution of new materials and methods to the education community while supporting networks of educators working on similar projects. The SEA will also disseminate innovative curricula and teaching methods developed by HHMI-associated scientists and educators.
“The word Alliance was chosen, not just because it makes a nice acronym,” says Peter Bruns, HHMI vice president for grants and special programs, “but because one of the most interesting parts of this experiment is the idea that there may be some real value added that comes from students and faculty at diverse institutions sharing their results, expertise, and trouble-shooting efforts.”
For an alliance to work, all parties must be willing to help each other. A certain level of commitment will be required from the SEA, the participating faculty, and the participating institutions. In return, the participants, and most importantly, the students will reap the benefits that come from such a large collaboration.
“The SEA represents the next step in HHMI's education programs,” says Bruns. With the advent of the SEA, HHMI becomes more than a supporter—it becomes an active participant.
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