About SEP 
What is the Science Education Partnership (SEP)?
SEP is a professional development program for secondary school science teachers in Washington State sponsored by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Our year-long program includes a 13-day summer workshop in which teachers work closely with each other, with lead teachers and with SEP staff to gain skills and expertise in molecular biology. A component of our summer program includes a week working closely with a scientist mentor in a research laboratory. During the school year, teachers have access to our kit loan program so that students have the opportunity to work with cutting edge biomedical research tools in their school classroom.
Our goal is to establish long-term partnerships between teachers and the scientific research community.
What happens during the Summer Session?
- In the research lab:
- In the teaching lab:
Work hands-on with a research scientist. Share a scientist's enthusiasm as you work one-on-one at the lab bench at one of our partner sites. You will be on the cutting edge of biotechnological and basic research, working in immunology, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology, hematology or cancer biology. Your lab project will be designed jointly by you and your mentor scientist, and will culminate in a curriculum project to be used in your classroom.
Work with two dozen of your colleagues, lead teachers and SEP staff, learning how to perform the basic techniques used in research laboratories, and participating in discussions concerning the integration of research concepts and biotechnology into your classroom.
What resources are available for the classroom?
After completion of the Summer Session teachers have access to SEP's Kit Loan Program including complete lesson plans, as well as additional biotechnology equipment and an extensive resource library. Technical and scientific support is also available from program staff and scientists at the Hutchinson Center.
There are also optional SEP workshops on topics such as bioinformatics and grant writing.
Use SEP resources to enhance your classroom teaching and to interact with your peers for support.
2007 marks our 16th year of working with SEP Teachers!
To see our participant list to date, click here!
How do I join SEP?
Click here to find out about eligibility, applications, dates, deadlines, and other details.
