We are a group of UAMS graduate students and postdoctoral fellows interested in fostering the development of skills in the art of teaching. Science depends on the ability of today’s scientists to communicate and translate scientific literature and laboratory techniques to future generations. Science must be accessible to students. This organization provides both didactic and experiential learning opportunities to UAMS students interested in developing teaching skills.
We hope to develop skills in:
- Effective lecture presentation
- Preparation of laboratory exercises
- Course material preparation
- Time management
- Development of an academic portfolio
Didactic Training
New to Teaching Modules from UAMS Educational Development
- Adult Learning Principles
- Developing Learning Objectives
- An Assessment Primer
- Providing Helpful Feedback
- Copyright Good Habits
Teaching Portfolio
Attend the seminar on how to prepare a teaching portfolio with teaching philosophy and prepare your teaching portfolio with teaching philosophy.
Seminars
Attend three additional GSTCA or Educational Development sponsored seminars post-qualifier exam.
Experiential Learning
At least 10 points are required. Except for teaching an entire semester long course, they should be from a variety of different types of activities.
- With your mentor’s permission, receive training to facilitate and facilitate an Interprofessional Education Module (2 points)
- Students who received an A in a class at UAMS may later tutor students in that course with their mentor’s and the course director’s permission. (1 point per 4 sessions, up to 4 points)
- Students who received an A in a class at UAMS may later lead review sessions for that course with their mentor’s and the course director’s permission. (2 points per session)
- Students who received an A in a class at UAMS may later lead active learning sessions for a UAMS graduate school course with their mentor’s and the course director’s permission. (2 points per session)
- Students who received an A in a class at UAMS may later lecture in a UAMS graduate school course with their mentor’s and the course director’s permission. (2 points per lecture)
- With your mentor’s permission, guest lecturer in a course at an undergraduate institution such as UALR, UAPTC, UCA, Hendrix, Henderson, UAPB, Harding, or Philander Smith. Lecture must be given to the GSTCA leadership prior to delivery. (2 points per lecture)
- With your mentor’s permission, serve as a mentor for JEI mini-PhD program (https://emerginginvestigators.org/mpp) (2 points)
- With your mentor’s permission, serve as a mentor for a high school, undergraduate or rotation student at UAMS (2 points)
- With your mentor’s permission, serve as a judge for a local science fair (ie: Central High, LISA Academy, Anthony School, ASMSA) or the Arkansas Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium (1 point per event; 3 points maximum)
- With your mentor’s and the Dean of the Graduate School’s permission, teach an entire semester long course at an undergraduate institution (either online or in person) (10 points)
- Other educational activities may also qualify with approval of the GSTCA leadership.
Useful Links
Join the GSTCA!
Ph.D. candidates (post-qualifier) and postdoctoral fellows have the opportunity to participate in any of these activities with permission from their mentor. A certificate (this is not a degree) will be made as documentation that students have completed the GSTCA training.
Please email a coordinator below to join the Graduate Student Teachers of Central Arkansas (GSTCA). GSTCA members must be members of our Blackboard Organization for tracking teaching activities and will receive additional emails regarding teaching and outreach opportunities and seminars.
Contact Us
For more information regarding the GSTCA or to join, please contact Dr. Alicia Byrd or Dr. Mari Davidson.
GSTCA Faculty Coordinators
Dr. Mari Davidson
Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Dr. Alicia Byrd
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
© 2024 University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences