The BEDROCK grant (Bioinformatics Education Dissemination: Reaching Out, Connecting, and Knitting-together) is an NSF-funded project to enhance, expand, and empower a national community of bioinformatics educators. The project goals include:

• Identify and support faculty who can take a leadership role in bioinformatics education.
• Highlight and distribute innovative approaches to incorporating bioinformatics data and techniques throughout undergraduate biology education.
• Establish mechanisms for the broad dissemination of bioinformatics resource materials and innovative teaching models.
  
  As project associate for the BEDROCK project, I work to integrate, facilitate and manage communications and workflow across these diverse activities. I am available as a first contact in our main office at Beloit College by phone or email.
  
  In the course of my work, I use a variety of software, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, FileMaker Pro, EndNote, Microsoft MapPoint, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. I make arrangements for workshops and meetings, including site location, catering, travel and lodging. In many cases this involves coordinating with remote workshop hosts to manage logistics for the events. I have also participated in workshops, meetings, and training sessions.

The BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium actively supports educators interested in the reform of undergraduate biology and engages in the collaborative development of curricula. We offer the following resources: The BioQUEST Library, BQ Notes, The BioQUEST Website, publications by project staff and participants, workshops and presentations for institutions and organizations, and support of an extended BioQUEST community. We encourage the use of simulations, databases, and tools to construct learning environments where students are able to engage in activities like those of practicing scientists.

See Microbes Count! for a collection of course activities based on these principles.