Murdock Partners in Science @ WSU Pre-Service Teacher Application

Murdock Partners in Science @ WSU

Summer Research Experiences for In-service and Pre-service Science Teachers
**APPLICATIONS DUE BY April 8, 2026**

This application is for Pre-Service Teachers. If you are currently employed as a science teacher, please return to the PIS @ WSU website and click on the link for In-service Teacher Application.

The Murdock Partners in Science @ WSU (PIS@WSU) program engages pre-service secondary science teachers in authentic and innovative research experiences in an active research lab located on either the Vancouver, Pullman or Tri-Cities campuses of Washington State University. While working side-by-side over two consecutive summers with a WSU Research Mentor, as well as with their graduate students, postdocs and technical staff, Partner Teachers gain new knowledge and build a scientific identity that allows them to guide their future students toward building their own science identity and learning.

More broadly, the PIS@WSU program supports collaborations between science teachers and academic scientists toward new discoveries and the advancement of science, with the goal that both groups will grow professionally in the process.

Please visit the PIS @ WSU website to learn about the Research Mentors and research projects available to pre-service teachers for Summers 2026 and 2027:

https://vancouver.labs.wsu.edu/murdockpartnersinscienceatwsu/
About the PIS@WSU Program

In-service and pre-service Teacher Partners in the PIS@WSU Program spend ~8 weeks full time each summer over two consecutive years engaging in research activities with a WSU faculty member in their lab. These activities could include field work and laboratory experiments, data collection and compilation, quantitative analysis and interpretation of results, and communicating findings to research peers. Throughout the two summers, Teacher Partners will be immersed in the day-to-day operation of an active academic research group, ranging from formal discussions during lab meetings and/or reading groups to informal conversations among like-minded colleagues.

In addition to the two summers of research, Teacher Partners will participate in two conferences each year hosted by the Murdock Charitable Trust. The Partners in Science “Research Symposium” occurs each January in Portland, OR, and brings PIS teachers and mentors together from around the Pacific Northwest to share research findings through poster and oral presentations. The PIS “Teaching Practices Conference” occurs each August in Vancouver, WA, and provides PIS teachers the opportunity to share ideas with each other and learn best practices for translating their research experience into their teaching of science and scientific inquiry.
Benefits of the PIS@WSU Program for Teachers

The PIS@WSU Program will provide Teacher Partners with the following:
- A $6,500 (in-service teachers) or $5,000 (pre-service teachers) each summer for two summers
- Travel, lodging and meal expenses to attend two Murdock PIS conferences in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR each year
- The opportunity to conduct discovery research with a WSU faculty Research Mentor and graduate students in their lab
- Active mentorship in research
- Potential to contribute to a scientific publication
- Supportive opportunities for professional development
- Option to apply for up to $3,500 to purchase research-related equipment and supplies for their school after completing the two-year program (in-service teachers only)
Eligibility and Criteria for Selection as a Pre-service Teacher Partner

We encourage applications from pre-service teachers who:
- Are currently enrolled in a BS or BA degree program in Natural Sciences (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, Earth & Environmental Science) on either the Vancouver, Tri-Cities or Pullman campuses of Washington State University; or,
- Are a recent (within 2 years) graduate of a BS or BA natural sciences degree program at WSU.
- Have GPA of 3.0 or higher in natural science courses completed at the college level.
- Have demonstrated intention to become a secondary science teacher (grades 6-12) after graduation. This can be shown by application to or acceptance into an accredited science teacher training program, successful completion of 1 or more TCH_LRN courses at WSU, and/or a compelling statement of intention to enter a teacher training program that includes rationale for this intent and timing of application.
- Show strong interest in furthering their own scientific knowledge and inquiry skills through participation in scientific research, as the basis for becoming an effective secondary science teacher.
- Have provided a positive written recommendation from a professor, graduate teaching assistant, employer or other individual who can speak to the applicant’s ability, enthusiasm, and potential for success as a secondary science teacher.
- Can commute 1 hour or less (one-way) on a ~daily basis to one of the WSU campuses (Vancouver, Tri-Cities, Pullman) for the entirety of each 8-week session in Summer 2026 and Summer 2027 (actual frequency of commuting may vary depending on the needs of the summer research project).
How to Apply

Please move to the next page of this form to review and answer the application questions, submit a current resume and transcript, and list the name and contact information for the recommender we should contact to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Due date for the online application AND receipt of recommendation letter is April 8, 2026.

PIS@WSU Application Form
Personal Contact Information
Your Name*

First NameLast Name
Your Current Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Your Summer 2026 Address (if different from above)

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Your Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Your Email*
example@example.com
Preferred pronouns (optional)
Your Birth Date*

MonthDayYear
Your Educational Background
Your current (or past) WSU Campus location (e.g. Vancouver, Tri-Cities, Pullman)*
Your declared (or anticipated) WSU degree program (e.g. BS Biology, BA Chemistry, etc.)*
Your WSU GPA*
Your start date at WSU

MonthDayYear
Date
Your anticipated (or actual) graduation date from WSU

MonthDayYear
Date
Please upload your WSU transcript here (unofficial is fine).

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Your previous college or university name (if relevant)
Your previous college or university location (city, state) (if relevant)
Your previous college degree program (if relevant)
Start date at previous college or university (if relevant)

MonthDayYear
Date
End (or graduation) date at previous college or university (if relevant)

MonthDayYear
Date
Your Education and Professional Development Background

Please list all 300-400 level SCIENCE courses taken at WSU (including any you are currently enrolled in, and courses you are enrolled in for Fall 2026).*

Rows	Semester& Year	Course No.(e.g. BIOL 106)	Course Name	Grade
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

Please list all EDUCATION courses taken at WSU (including any you are currently enrolled in, and courses you are enrolled in for Fall 2026) (if relevant).

Rows	Semester & Year	Course No.(e.g. TCH_LRN 430)	Course Name	Grade
1
2
3
4
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Pre-service Teacher Application Information

Please read the information below before answering the application questions.
This application for the Murdock PIS @ WSU program is specifically designed for “pre-service” science teachers. We define “pre-service” teachers as current WSU undergraduates majoring in a Science discipline, or recent B.S. graduates, who plan to pursue a career teaching secondary science (grades 6-12).

The pre-service teacher Partners will be joining a cohort with current science teachers (“in-service” teacher Partners) who are all engaging in two summers of research, and then working together with Partner Teachers across the Pacific Northwest to develop plans and strategies to translate their research experiences into their teaching practices.

The pre-service teachers are thus benefitting from joining a community of in-service science teachers and participating in substantial professional development that will enhance their competitiveness for secondary science teaching positions.

**Note: the Murdock PIS program for pre-service teachers does not require that you already be accepted into a teacher training program; however, our goal is to support undergraduates in reaching this milestone, and priority will be given to students who demonstrate this commitment.
Application Questions

Please provide answers to the following questions in 250 words or less.
Please describe why you are interested in becoming a secondary science teacher. What are the educational and personal experiences that have contributed to your choice of entering the science teaching profession? *

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How would participating in the Murdock PIS program (two consecutive summers of scientific research, annual professional development workshops, annual research symposia) contribute to your goal of becoming a middle or high school science educator?*

0/250
Please describe some of the coursework, field work, employment, or other experiences you have had that demonstrate your interest in science, your ability to work collaboratively in a team, and your openness to learning new skills.*

0/250
Please outline your current plan for gaining the credentials and certifications required for entry into the secondary science teaching field (e.g. undergraduate degree, teacher training programs, student teaching experience, etc.).*

0/250
Please upload a pdf copy of your most recent resume.*

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Letter of Recommendation

Please provide the name and contact information of a person who has agreed to provide a letter of recommendation in support of your application to the Murdock Partners in Science @ WSU Program. Please consider asking a faculty member, graduate teaching assistant, employer or other professional who can speak to your skills, enthusiasm for teaching, and overall suitability for this program. **Please contact them to ask permission prior to including them in your application.**
Your Recommender's Name*

First NameLast Name
Your Recommender's Institution and Title*
Your Recommender's Email*
example@example.com
Your Recommender's Phone*
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Final Steps
I understand that the PIS@WSU Program requires in-person attendance and full-time participation (exact number of hours/week will vary by project) for two consecutive summers at one of the WSU campuses or research centers, for which I would be paid a $5,000 stipend for each summer. I also understand that I am expected to attend a 2-day conference in Portland, OR, in January 2027 and January 2028 as well as a 2-day conference in Vancouver, WA, in August 2026 and August 2027 (travel expenses will be covered by the PIS@WSU program).*

Yes
Please verify that you are human (and not a robot!)*
Review and Submit

Please review your answers by clicking on the "Preview Answers" button below.

If you are satisfied with your answers, then click on the "Submit Application" button.

**Please note that your application is not submitted until you click "Submit"

If your submission was successful, you will receive an email confirmation to the email address you listed under Personal Information. If you do not receive the email confirmation within 24 hours, check your spam or junk folder. If it's not there, or you have any other problems with this form, please contact Julie Zimmerman, PIS @ WSU Program Coordinator (juliezimmerman@wsu.edu).
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Murdock Partners in Science @ WSU

PIS@WSU Application Form

Pre-service Teacher Application Information

Application Questions

Indicate your preferences for a Research Mentor and research project

Letter of Recommendation

Demographic Information

Final Steps