With funding from the National Science Foundation, we are excited to announce the VIPEr LaB Fellows project, an extension of a prior Fellows program that now focuses on improving laboratory experiences. The goals are for VIPEr LaB Fellows to revitalize laboratory experiment(s) using best practices for laboratory learning and incorporate more inquiry. At the same time, IONiC will research how faculty members approach change and the impacts on students. The program is open to faculty from both 2- and 4-year institutions in the United States who teach general and/or inorganic chemistry laboratory courses.

The VIPEr Lab Fellows project is a two-year cohort experience with approximately 30 faculty members per cohort. The first cohort will:

• Participate in virtual interviews and write short reflections (Spring 2027; Spring 2028)
• Attend a workshop focused on inquiry and laboratory learning (June 20-24, 2027)
• Implement a revised lab experiment, collect survey and video data from students, and participate in virtual conversations about how things are going (academic year 2027-2028)
• Attend a second workshop focused on data analysis, reflection, and revision (Summer 2028)

All workshops will be held in Chicago, IL, at Lewis and DePaul Universities. IONiC will cover food and lodging, while Fellows are expected to fund their travel to/from Chicago for the workshops.

Fellows will receive $1,000 in compensation after Workshop 1 to offset transportation expenses and the time commitment. Workshop 2 will follow the same model, with Fellows funding their travel and receiving another $1,000 afterward. Fellows will also be compensated for participating in interviews with $50 gift cards ($2,000 total + gift cards).