CERTL

The Center of Excellence for Research, Teaching and Learning [CERTL] fosters attainment of goals to increase the number of students who successfully participate, progress and achieve in K-12 science and mathematics courses; who pursue undergraduate programs in the sciences, mathematics, engineering and technology fields; and, to promote community awareness of healthy lifestyle choices.

The pathway to the accomplishment of these goals is anchored in introducing the problem-based learning (PBL) methodology in all classrooms at all levels and in a variety of enrichment opportunities. Anchoring the strategies are two pivotal elements of the CERTL programs: effective professional development for teachers and the program design of enrichment activities for students.

CERTL Funding Sources

The Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Program funds grants for innovative educational programs. Such projects create partnerships among biomedical and clinical researchers and K-12 teachers and schools, museums and science centers, media experts, and other educational organizations. SEPA is sponsored by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). CERTL has been supported through the SEPA mechanism with projects R25RR16206 and R25RR02370.

In the summer of 2009 NIH Announced the Availability of Recovery Act Funds for Providing Summer Research Experiences for Students and Science Educators through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

CERTL received funds from this ARRA program through NIH to encourage students to seriously pursue research careers in the health related sciences, as well as provide elementary, middle school, and high school teachers, community college faculty, and faculty from non-research intensive institutions with short term research experiences in NIH-funded laboratories.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Precollege Science Education Program

Grants through this initiative support pre-K through 12th grade science education. Funding is provided to medical schools, dental schools,  veterinary schools, public health schools, hospitals, academic health centers, and independent research institutions to enable these science-rich organizations to work with school systems, science museums, and other partners skilled in delivering science content to students.

For more information on CERTL programs please contact Dr. Ann Lambros, CERTL Director at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd. Winston-Salem, NC 27157. You may call (336) 713-7723 or email alambros@wfubmc.edu.