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Teach a Course for Scientific American and N.Y.U.-Poly

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American


Scientific American and NYU-Poly are teaming up to offer week-long online courses for a virtual professorial education program, and
we're looking for great proposals. This program will help mid-career professionals in science and technology fields to maintain their competitive credentials or to take the next career step. Interactive and engaging, the online short courses will provide timely instruction on critical subjects in a virtual environment convenient for busy professionals. We seek proposals for courses about rapidly growing areas in science and technology where research shows there is both a great need for, and interest in, furthering continuing education, including (but not limited to): Big Data, mHealth, the future of cities, sustainable agriculture, manufacturing and aging. Please note that a minimum Master's degree in the field you will be teaching is required. Course Format: Short courses are one-week long (Monday through Friday), and consist of five prerecorded 30-minute interactive video lectures and five live 30-minute Q&A sessions. Instructor Responsibilities: Instructors will create a course that consists of five prerecorded 30-minute lectures, and will answer questions previously submitted by students during the five live 30-minute Q&A sessions held over the course of five business days. No advanced online learning technology expertise is needed. Instructors will receive full training and support. NYU-Poly Support: NYU-Poly will provide pedagogical, multimedia and A/V support for the creation of the 30-minute interactive lectures. This support will include advising on course design and converting the prerecorded lecture content into interactive modules. Compensation: Instructors receive $5,000 to develop and teach a single course one time. Each additional session of that course taught earns an additional $1,500. Submission Guidelines If interested in submitting a short-course proposal, please send: 1. A one-page proposal, with the following information:

  • Your Name

  • Course Discipline

  • Course Title

  • Level of Difficulty (novice, intermediate or advanced)

  • 5 Course-Level Objectives (What will the learner walk away knowing)

  • Course Description (A paragraph or two, describing topics covered)

  • Who referred you (NYU-Poly, Scientific American, or other)


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2. A C.V., with complete contact information. 3. Supplemental information, if any (such as a portfolio, video, etc.). Send Completed Proposals or Questions to: lpallantroni at sciam dot com