Program Description

The COSEE Florida REPT program offers seniors and second-semester juniors enrolled in IRSC’s Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Science Education the opportunity to learn first-hand about the process of scientific discovery and research. Students will work with Treasure Coast scientists on marine science research projects. Students will be paid a stipend, funded by COSEE Florida and the National Science Foundation. The students we accept this summer will work with at least one research scientist mentor and COSEE Florida staff members.

The following organizations participated in the REPT program in 2012:

• Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) How toxic are the fish eaten by the dolphins in the Indian River Lagoon?

• Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce Compounds produced by the bacterial strain Pseudoalteromonas sp.PS5 induce coral larval settlement

• Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at Florida Atlantic University Does location in the Indian River Lagoon have an effect on the composition of free floating cyanobacterial mats?

Intern Goals

• To gain valuable experience doing authentic science.
• To increase understanding of and enthusiasm for scientific research.
• To provide resources and strategies for applying REPT experience to the middle school classroom.

Eligibility
Students must be in good academic standing at the time of application and be enrolled as seniors or second-semester juniors in IRSC’s Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Science Education program by the time the program begins. December 2012 graduates and former non-teaching REPT alumni of this program are also encouraged to apply.

Program Schedule
This seven-week, 175 hour program will run from Monday May 6 to Wednesday June 26, 2013. The minimum time commitment expected throughout the REPT experience will be 175 total hours which averages around 25 hours per week. Approximately twenty (20) hours will be devoted to research with the remaining five hours spent at weekly team meetings and field trips. Research work loads will vary with the project design and may involve periods of intense work of eight hours or more. Students involved in field work should be comfortable in and around the water and on small boats, and should expect to get wet and muddy. Rain, strong sun and insects are also common occurrences during field research.

Tentative Weekly Schedule

• May 6: Orientation meeting at Indian River State College
• May 7-June 14: Research
• June 17-20: Analysis, poster presentations and CSTAR completion
• June 26: Science Symposium Presentations

Required Meetings

• Wednesdays at the IRSC Main Campus: Science research discussions and presentations. Incorporating research into science education activities/discussions.
• Biweekly (location to be announced): Lab visits and working on CSTAR project

Required Submissions

• Reflections: Science research and education related reflections submitted weekly to the Facebook REPT Group
• CSTAR (COSEE Florida Science Teachers as Researchers) short educational video
• Scientific poster to be presented at COSEE Florida Science Symposium
• Completion and documentation of a minimum of 175 hours active participation

Continued Engagement

• You are required to participate in a minimum of one COSEE Florida sponsored and/or Water As Habitat activity
• You may have opportunities to present your research at scientific conferences

Application Requirements
In order to successfully apply to COSEE Florida's 2013 Summer REPT program, applicants must submit the following documents by March 6th, 2013:

• On-line application
• Two (2) Recommendation Forms (DOCX, 151 KB)] sent, or emailed, to Meghan Buckley (mbuckley@irsc.edu); mailbox in N220.
• Approval for IRSC college officials to access course records. Be certain to check this box on the application form.

On-line application instructions:
In order to complete this application, you will need:

• Contact names, emails, and telephone numbers of the IRSC faculty/staff submitting a reference letter on your behalf.
• Knowledge of your summer schedule. Can you commit to a seven-week course that requires a MINIMUM of 25 hours per week? Please be aware that the intensity of effort is likely to increase as the program approaches completion.

Recommendation Form (DOCX, 151 KB)
Make arrangements for recommendation forms to be turned in early as to ensure that these materials are received by March 6th, 2013. We suggest you follow up a verbal request with an email to the individuals who are writing your letters.

• One form should be from an IRSC instructor in Science Education, an instructor from the Education Department or your Cooperating Teacher.
• The second should be from an IRSC science faculty member or your college academic advisor.

Interviews
Required interviews will be conducted March 18-21, 2013. Acceptance decisions will be made by April 5, 2013. Students who are not accepted can ask to be placed on a waiting list for any last-minute openings.

Stipends
Students in the program will receive a research stipend, based on the hours they work, in three installments on or near the following dates: June 13, June 27, and July 15.