ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCE AS AN INTEGRATIVE CONTEXT FOR LEARNING Release Date: September 2, 1999 RFA: ES-99-011 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Letter of Intent Receipt Date: October 4, 1999 Application Receipt Date: December 21, 1999 PURPOSE The purpose of this initiative is to utilize environmental health science as an integrating context (EHSIC) to be implemented in K-12 curricula that will improve overall academic performance as well as enhance student awareness and knowledge of environmental health science. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000," a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This Request for Applications (RFA), Environmental Health Science as an Integrative Context for Learning, is related to one or more of the priority areas. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" at http://odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/hp2000 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by schools, for-profit and non-profit organizations, public, and private, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of State and local governments, and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Applications from educational institutions with significant minority enrollments and from principal investigators who are women or minority group members are especially encouraged. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT This RFA will use the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Education Project Grant (R25) award mechanism. Responsibility for the planning, direction, and execution of the proposed project will be solely that of the applicant. The total project period for an application submitted in response to this RFA may not exceed 7 years. This RFA is a one-time solicitation. Future unsolicited competing continuation applications will compete with all investigator- initiated applications and be reviewed according to the customary peer review procedures. The anticipated award date is July 1, 2000. FUNDS AVAILABLE The estimated funds (total costs) available for the first year of support for the entire program is anticipated to be $2,000,000. The maximum award will be $250,000 in direct costs per year. Indirect costs will be paid at eight percent of direct costs less appropriate exclusions. It is expected that seven to eight awards will be made. This level of support is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit. Although this program is provided for in the financial plans of the NIEHS, awards pursuant to this RFA are contingent upon the availability of funds for this purpose. EDUCATION OBJECTIVES Background The National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS) is playing an increasingly important role in numerous public health issues because of the desire of the public to understand the effects and risks to human health from exposure to physical and chemical agents. Although the public is challenged to make decisions on the risk and benefits of agents which permeate society, there have been few, if any, programs which prepare the public to meet this challenge. For example, in the past few years there have been media reports concerning the hazards of electromagnetic radiation, chemicals in drinking water, and pesticides in food. While the scientific community has been tasked with making scientifically based recommendations on the safety of chemicals and physical agents, the general public has become increasingly involved in the regulatory decision-making process. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop a mechanism for educating the general public about environmental health issues. To address this need, the NIEHS has initiated a K-12 education program. The "High School and Beyond" Surveys, which have been widely discussed, show a steady decline in the scientific literacy of students and in the number of students interested in careers in natural science or engineering. As an example, of four million high school sophomores in school in 1977 only 9,700 were projected to reach the Ph.D. degree in 1992. The 1996 and 1998 releases of the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) studies assessing US eighth and twelfth grade student performance is demonstrative of the continuing decline of American students in science and math achievement in comparison with students from other countries participating in these studies. In response to this and other evidence of a decline in the performance of American students in science and mathematics, a new urgency has led to a national awareness of the need to improve teaching and learning in these fields. The momentum for major changes in the way that science is taught in grades K-12 has been increasing rapidly in recent years, as has the amount of money provided from public and private sources to support retraining of teachers, development of curricula, and provision of educational technologies. The NIEHS seeks to enhance dissemination, utilization, and effective implementation of materials and curricula pertaining to environmental health science. A necessary step in achieving this objective is the provision of teachers with requisite disciplinary and pedagogical skills. Through NIEHS supported programs, curricula materials addressing multiple environmental health issues have been generated that are grade level appropriate for K-12 students. Moreover, teacher training at sites around the nation, that include teachers from New Jersey to Alaska, has been done to help implement environmental health science education at the K-12 grade level. The NIEHS recognizes the need for all students in our nation to perform/learn at levels that are compatible with the National Science Education Standards, as well improving overall academic performance. The specific intent of this program is to organize environmental health science activities into a variety of curricular areas, that will improve overall academic performance as well as enhance students' comprehension of and interest in environmental health sciences. The State Education and Environment Roundtable (SEER), funded by the Pew Charitable Trust, recently released a report, Closing the Achievement Gap: Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning. This study examined the impact on student learning in school systems that utilize this concept in education. Positive outcomes associated with these methods include: o better performance on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies; o increased engagement and enthusiasm for learning; and o greater pride and ownership in accomplishments. It is important to note that human health and human disease result from three interactive elements: environmental factors, individual susceptibility and age. The mission of the NIEHS is to reduce the burden of human illness and dysfunction from environmental causes by understanding each of these elements and how they interrelate. Hence, projects supported by this RFA are expected to develop educational themes that cut across disciplines and that examine the interplay of these elements. The NIEHS has developed this RFA to utilize environmental health science as an integrating context (EHSIC) in learning. NIEHS COMMITMENT TO SCIENCE EDUCATION AND PROGRESS TO DATE Support of K-12 science education has received high priority from the Director, NIH, and the Director, NIEHS. Commitment of the Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, and the President is well documented. Also at the national level, the National Science Foundation, through the Directorate for Education and Human Resources, and the Department of Education, through the Eisenhower program, are supporting major reform activities by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the National Science Teachers Association, the National Research Council, and other organizations. Other Federal agencies, such as the Departments of Energy and Agriculture, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency are investing in K-12 programs related to their missions. As part of its intramural program, NIEHS has established a "Summers of Discovery" program to support high school teachers and students in summer research opportunities and has conducted a variety of career awareness and education programs for students and teachers. Since 1966, the NIEHS has supported basic and applied biomedical research on environmental health. In addition to this research mission, the NIEHS also serves an educational role. Prior to this decade, the NIEHS had been involved in science education mostly by supporting research training at the pre- and postdoctoral levels, i.e., scientific career development. However, more recently, the NIEHS has established as a priority the development of an environmental health sciences education program at the K-12 level. To obtain guidance in developing this program, the NIEHS convened a forum of teachers, scientists, science educators, administrators, and persons representing various associations in 1992. The forum discussed and made recommendations in four areas: o Curriculum: The environmental health science education program should be multidisciplinary and infused into existing curricula at appropriate grade levels. o Needs to be addressed in developing programs: There should be defined outcomes, teacher training, equipment and materials, community support, appropriate assessment, involvement of the science community, and inclusion of underrepresented groups. o Identification of existing models: There are many programs that exist in related fields that could be used as a framework for a program in environmental health science. o Barriers: Lack of public awareness, the poor science background of teachers, overloaded curricula, lack of materials, and inadequate funding impede the implementation of environmental health science in K-12 curricula. In response to these concerns, the NIEHS issued an RFA in 1993 for development of educational materials related to environmental health sciences. These grants were aimed at producing instructional materials that can be integrated into existing science curricula and be used by all students, regardless of ability or background. Materials were successfully developed and field tested and disseminated. Projects range from adventure stories and mini-magazines for lower grade levels, to board games and videos for middle grades to interactive CD-ROMs for higher grade levels. A variety of topics are addressed including indoor and outdoor air quality, hazardous residential and industrial exposures and basic tenets of biology and toxicology. Descriptions and information on availability of the materials developed as a result of cell these awards can be viewed at the following URL address: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/od/k-12/allextra.htm#material To ensure that such materials are utilized in the classroom, the NIEHS issued a second RFA in 1996 to address teacher training in K-12 environmental health science education. Through these projects, ongoing throughout the country, teachers interact with environmental health scientists in a continuing fashion and are provided with current skills, knowledge, and course materials to integrate environmental health science into existing courses. A description of these programs can be viewed at: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/od/k-12/allextra.htm#ted In addition, the NIEHS supports K-12 environmental health science education via other means. For example, the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program may be utilized to develop educational materials. In collaboration with the Society of Toxicology (SOT), the NIEHS supports additional training of K-12 teachers. In collaboration with the Office of Science Education, OD, NIH, the NIEHS supports additional development of instructional materials. Moreover, the NIEHS has a network of 26 Centers across the country, each of which has a Community Outreach and Education Program (see http://www.niehs.nih.gov/centers/home.htm). As part of their goal of translating research findings into knowledge that can be applied to public health, many of these centers are engaged in K-12 educational activities in both instructional material development and teacher training. EDUCATION OBJECTIVES: Based upon programmatic accomplishments, the NIEHS has implemented the most comprehensive and successful K-12 education program within the NIH. The present RFA expands upon this foundation by broadening the scope of NIEHS K-12 activities to include new partners, e.g., school districts and new curricula, e.g., non-science courses. The specific intent of this initiative is to employ EHSIC as a means of improving students' overall academic performance. To achieve this overarching goal, the following aims are identified as being essential: o Integration of an environmental health topic(s) into a variety of academic disciplines. Environmental health science tools and skills must be integrated as a curricular theme. Approaches for training non-science teachers to utilize curricular materials effectively within the scope of their academic subjects may be developed. o While not mandatory, the use of environmental health science curricular materials previously developed is encouraged. Projects should ascertain if the use of culturally appropriate/sensitive environmental health science curricular materials enhances overall academic performance. o For Students: Enhancement of critical thinking skills to develop a sense of personal involvement in the issues and challenges created by the linkage of human health with environmental factors; competence in identifying problems, assembling relevant data, arriving at solutions; deeper understanding of the concepts of environmental health sciences through applications of the scientific process; awareness of career opportunities in environmental health fields and the background essential to those careers; better performance on standardized tests through use of EHSIC; and improved comprehension of all academic disciplines. o For Teachers: Greater awareness of environmental health science issues as a means of teaching both science and non-science concepts and generating social responsibility in students; stronger knowledge base of environmental health science concepts through real life applications; a broader range of techniques and methods of teaching; enhanced professional stature through opportunities to interact with scientists in team situations; and improved classroom performance on standardized tests. To achieve these objectives, requirements of this program include: o Projects must have active collaboration among an educator, a state department of education, and an environmental health scientist. Applications that contain an instructional material development component must also include a technical writer or media producer. Applications lacking all required partners will considered nonresponsive. The effort, role, and responsibility of each partner must be specifically identified and described. Subcontract arrangements may be appropriate. Moreover, the applicants must demonstrate the complete support of the principal(s) of the school(s) and the school district superintendent where the project is to be implemented. The applicant can be the educator, the state department of education, the school district, school or scientist. In addition, there must be a critical mass of teachers involved; this requirement will vary with the grade level, as middle and high school students have multiple teachers for different subjects in contrast to the number of teachers to whom K-5 students are exposed. The project must foster integrated, collaborative, interdisciplinary hands on team teaching. o Subjects included for study must be relevant, contemporary, and encourage interdisciplinary integration of environmental health sciences. An environmental health concept or theme must be identified and studied in at least three different subject areas, e.g., biology, health, civics, social studies, math, chemistry, language arts, etc. At least one of these subjects should be non-science. Educational concepts used in this approach should be organized around local/community environmental health issues. Utilization of local environmental health concerns will make this experience more relevant for students and teachers and provide a basis for students to make informed environmental health science decisions in future years. It is important to note that the chosen environmental health issue(s) for an EHSIC project must link environment and health. Applications addressing only environmental issues or only health issues will be considered nonresponsive. A natural advantage of EHSIC is that it offers the capacity to span a variety of diverse subject areas. The connection between environment and health should be emphasized within each of these areas. o Projects must develop translatable models that have evaluation capacities that include standardized testing. Projects must adhere to national and state education standards. Evaluation should include analysis of standardized test scores for the grade level at which projects are implemented prior to and after implementation at the school where the model is being tested. Projects should develop appropriate instruments and carry out assessment of attitudes and knowledge about in K-12 students environmental health concepts. Additionally, the projects must conduct pre- and post-program implementation evaluations of the attitudes and knowledge about environmental health impacts. The program must be multiphasic in implementation: o Phase 1 encompasses teacher enhancement with existing environmental health science curricular materials and additional instructional material development. While materials have been developed that specifically address environmental health science for K-12 instruction, additional materials may well need to be developed that will be appropriate for non-science courses that will be included in EHSIC projects. The issue of incentives (e.g., graduate credit, school district credit, stipends, certificates) for involvement of teachers in training programs must be addressed. Opportunities for intensive interaction between researchers in environmental health science and K-12 teachers must be maximized. Formation of scientist-teacher partnerships, either one-on-one or site-based (e.g., between research institutions and schools), is encouraged. o Phase 2 is the implementation phase of EHSIC in K-12 classrooms. During this period, environmental health concepts should be integrated within at least three subject areas over a minimal duration of 3 years. Teachers that have been trained in the use of previously existing and newly developed instructional material will integrate these materials in a manner that is compatible with national and state curricular standards at their specific grade level. o Phase 3 includes final evaluation and dissemination of the proposed model. The evaluation and dissemination period should extend over the period of at least one year and assess: performance on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies; increased engagement and enthusiasm for learning; and awareness of environmental health impacts. Projects can focus on the entire K-12 spectrum or natural groupings of various grade levels. Dissemination should address how the EHSIC project can be translated to other school districts and include a means of distributing the project's methods and findings to the state and national education arenas. Applicants should include specific steps for implementation of all 3 phases and a timetable with measurable milestones of their achievement. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER FEDERAL PROGRAMS IN SCIENCE EDUCATION Applications that propose working relationships with major science education projects/groups such as the NSF Statewide Systemic Initiatives program, the Department of Education Regional Consortia for Science and Mathematics, American Chemical Society, the National Science Teachers Association, National Association of Biology Teachers, or other federal, state, or national organizations and programs are particularly encouraged. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS To foster collaboration and to share approaches and evaluation strategies, each application should include a provision and budgetary request for attending an annual meeting at the NIEHS in Research Triangle Park, NC. INCLUSION OF WOMEN AND MINORITIES IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of the NIH that women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be included in all NIH supported biomedical and behavioral research projects involving human subjects, unless a clear and compelling rationale and justification is provided that inclusion is inappropriate with respect to the health of the subjects or the purpose of the research. This policy results from the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (Section 492B of Public Law 103-43). All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Guidelines for Inclusion of Women and Minorities as Subjects in Clinical Research," which was published in the Federal Register of March 28, 1994 (FR 59 14508-14513) and in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 23, No. 11, March 18, 1994, available on the web at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not94-100.html INCLUSION OF CHILDREN AS PARTICIPANTS IN RESEARCH INVOLVING HUMAN SUBJECTS It is the policy of NIH that children (i.e., individuals under the age of 21) must be included in all human subjects research, conducted or supported by the NIH, unless there are scientific and ethical reasons not to include them. This policy applies to all initial (Type 1) applications submitted for receipt dates after October 1, 1998. All investigators proposing research involving human subjects should read the "NIH Policy and Guidelines" on the Inclusion of Children as Participants in Research Involving Human Subjects that was published in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, March 6, 1998, and is available at the following URL address: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not98-024.html Investigators also may obtain copies of these policies from the program staff listed under INQUIRIES. Program staff may also provide additional relevant information concerning the policy. LETTER OF INTENT Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes a descriptive title of the proposed research, the name, address, and telephone number of the Principal Investigator, the identities of other key personnel and participating institutions, and the number and title of the RFA in response to which the application may be submitted. Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows NIEHS staff to estimate the potential review workload and avoid conflict of interest in the review. The letter of intent is to be sent to: David P. Brown, M.P.H. Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-24 111 T.W. Alexander Drive Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-4964 Fax: (919) 541-2503 Email: [email protected] APPLICATION PROCEDURES The research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) is to be used in applying for these grants. These forms are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research and from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone 301/710-0267, Email: [email protected]. The RFA label available in the PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) application form must be affixed to the bottom of the face page of the application. In addition, the RFA title and number must be typed on line 2 of the face page of the application form and the YES box must be marked. The RFA label and line 2 of the application should both indicate the RFA number. Failure to use this label could result in delayed processing of the application such that it may not reach the review committee in time for review. The sample RFA label available at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/label-bk.pdf has been modified to allow for this change. Please note this is in pdf format. Submit a signed, typewritten original of the application, including the Checklist, and three signed, photocopies, in one package to: CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040, MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be sent to: David P. Brown, M.P.H. Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, MD EC-24 111 T.W. Alexander Drive Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-4964 Fax: (919) 541-2503 Email: [email protected] Applications must be received by the application receipt date listed in the heading of this RFA. If an application is received after that date, it will be returned to the applicant without review. The Center for Scientific Review (CSR) will not accept any application in response to this RFA that is essentially the same as one currently pending initial review, unless the applicant withdraws the pending application. The CSR will not accept any application that is essentially the same as one already reviewed. This does not preclude the submission of substantial revisions of applications already reviewed, but such applications must include an introduction addressing the previous critique. REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS Upon receipt, applications will be reviewed for completeness by the CSR and responsiveness by NIEHS staff. Incomplete and/or non-responsive applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration. Applications that are complete and responsive to the RFA will be evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate peer review group convened by the NIEHS in accordance with the review criteria stated below. As part of the initial merit review, a process will be used by the initial review group in which applications receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of the applications under review, will be discussed, assigned a priority score, and receive a second level review by the National Advisory Environmental Health Sciences Council or Board. Review Criteria o Merit and significance of the proposed project as determined by such factors as content, originality, feasibility, potential long term impact, transportability, and relationship to established state and national educational standards, educational needs, and current educational research pertaining to instructional methodologies. o Capacity of the project to utilize environmental health themes as an integrating concept within both scientific and non-scientific subject areas. o Demonstration within the proposed project plan of current knowledge of research practices, outcomes, and standards, specifically those related to science learning, attitudes, motivation, and educational strategies. o Evidence of cooperation and interaction among scientific and educational staff. The project should establish partnerships based on mutual interest and purpose with all partners sharing in planning, development, implementation, and follow-up activities. o Qualifications and research/education experience of the principal investigator and staff, particularly but not exclusively in areas relevant to the mission of NIEHS. Individuals with strong subject matter skills are expected to play key roles. Personnel should demonstrate knowledge of the needs of their target audience in educational settings. o Availability of resources necessary to perform project objectives. o Strength of commitment by the participating institution(s) as evidenced by provision of appropriate resources, services, technical support, and allocation of space. Schools are expected to assist in the implementation process by providing requisite release time and contributing to classroom materials. The importance of continuing education will necessitate that schools and administrators demonstrate a definitive, long-term commitment. o Appropriateness of the proposed budget and duration in relation to proposed objectives. o Capacity to develop innovative materials, techniques, and/or curriculum materials for environmental health science areas that lend themselves to interdisciplinary uses. The applicant should specifically address how these materials will be infused into the curriculum and how the materials will be tested and evaluated. o Capacity of the project to develop or enhance students' critical thinking and problem solving abilities. o Emphasis of the project upon depth of study rather than breadth of material. o Design of the project for success of all students, regardless of background or ability, especially those from underrepresented populations, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and the socioeconomically disadvantaged. This may be accomplished through inclusion of culturally familiar examples and/or incorporation of appropriate role models. o Plans for evaluation of factors contributing to the project's effectiveness. While descriptive or numeric data related to the number of students served could be a component, evaluations limited to such data alone will be considered unacceptable. Evaluations should include a measure of the impact of the project on students' overall academic performance and knowledge of environmental health sciences. Assessment before and after using the developed materials and curriculum will be necessary. Strategies for student assessment of developed materials may also be appropriate. o Plans for distribution of results and products in the educational arena. EHSIC projects, while developed and tested as models on a local level, must include national dissemination. Programs limited to a segment of the national student population or to a local or regional school system(s) will be considered unresponsive. Projects should be national in scope and significance. o Feasibility of plans for independently continuing the program. Evidence of continuing commitment on the part of the proposing institution(s) and of long term impact of the proposed project is especially important. Applicants may consider cost sharing in order to continue their program beyond the period of NIEHS funding. o Adequacy of plans to include both genders and minorities and their subgroups as appropriate. SCHEDULE Letter of Intent Receipt Date: October 4, 1999 Application Receipt Date: December 21, 1999 Peer Review Date: March 2000 Council Review: May 2000 Earliest Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2000 AWARD CRITERIA Criteria that will be used to make award decisions include: o scientific merit (as determined by peer review) o availability of funds o programmatic priorities. INQUIRIES Inquiries concerning this RFA are encouraged. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Frederick L. Tyson, Ph.D. Chemical Exposures and Molecular Biology Branch National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD EC-21 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 Telephone: (919) 541-0176 FAX: (919) 316-4606 Email: [email protected] Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Carolyn B. Winters Division of Extramural Research and Training National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences P.O. Box 12233, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, MD EC-22 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2233 Telephone: (919) 541-7823 FAX: (919) 541-2860 Email: [email protected] AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.113 and 93.115. Awards are made under authorization of the Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part A (Public Law 78-410, as amended by Public Law 99-158, 42 USC 241 and 285) and administered under NIH grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR 52 and 45 CFR Parts 74 and 92. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirements of Executive Order 12372 or Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care, or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American people.
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