Address ecophysiological issues using the LI-6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System
Photosynthesis in Education
LEEF Users: Register for the "Photosynthesis in Education" training
The LEEF Ecophysiology Package
Ecophysiology is defined in the dictionary as “The study of the interrelationship between an organism's physical functioning and its environment.” Ecophysiology principals such as photosynthesis, fluorescence and respiration can be simple to explain in the classroom but without the proper tools can be very difficult or impossible to witness in a lab or field setting. The LI-6400XT Portable Photosynthesis System is designed to help answer many of these fundamental questions related to ecology and can help quantify the interactions between plants, animals and their relationship with the environment through hands on teaching and simple research exercises.
The LEEF Ecophysiology package is designed for use by undergraduate students to address ecophysiological issues using the LI-6400XT Portable Photosynthesis and Fluorescence System plus a number of interchangeable chambers for use in specific topics such as:
- Leaf and/or plant photosynthesis
- Plant stress
- Transpiration
- Effect of elevated CO2 on various plant species
- Plant adaptability due to temperature and humidity variations
- Light – leaf interaction
- Leaf chlorophyll fluorescence
- Soil respiration
- Insect respiration
- Species Invasion
- Crop Improvement
- Biofuels Productivity
- Ecosystem Function
- Much more
The LI-6400XT is the most used instrument in its class worldwide. Beyond research, the LI-6400XT includes software exclusively designed for using the instrument in a classroom setting. The LEEF Ecophysiology package also includes a DVD/CD package put together by professors experienced in the use of the LI-6400XT in the classroom, laboratory and field.
The Ecophysiology Package Includes:
- LI-6400XTR Portable Photosynthesis and Fluorescence System
- System Console
- Sensor head with CO2/H2O analyzers
- Standard 6 cm2 Leaf Chamber with internal PAR sensor
- Leaf Chamber Fluorometer
- CO2 Injector System
- Red/Blue LED Light Source
- External Quantum Sensor
- Four Rechargeable Batteries
- Battery Charger
- 9-pin to 9-pin RS-232 Cable and Adapter
- RS-232 to USB Adapter
- Ethernet Card and Cable
- Flash Memory Card
- Software CD for Windows
- Spares kit
- Carrying Case
- AC Power Supply
- One additional LI-6400 Leaf Chamber of your choice (choose from 6400-05, 6400-07, 6400-08, 6400-11, 6400-15, 6400-19)
- Soil CO2 Flux Chamber
- Expanded Temperature Control Kit
- Insect Respiration Chamber Kit
- DVD Training Video (five sets)
- DVD/CD set: Photosynthesis Educational Resource Package
- Five Year (total) Service Package, including five-year extended warranty, free software upgrades, three system calibrations, and maintenance services
- Five Year LI-COR Training Allowance (one free training
program annually)
- 3 certificates for the five-day training course: Photosynthesis in Education
- 4 certificates for the three-day training course: Gas Exchange and Fluorescence
- $500 coupon towards the purchase of consumables
- $500 travel award for presentation of qualifying undergraduate research
How to Apply:
The LEEF Ecophysiology Package is designed to support inquiry-based education in primarily undergraduate institutions. If you are not certain you qualify for the LEEF Program, please email Chris Mantzios, LEEF Program Manager or call (800) 645-4201.
Applications for the LEEF Ecophysiology Package will be accepted until March 30, 2010.
1. The application will be available online from this site starting November 1st. The online form will ask for the following information:
- Institution name
- Submitting instructor
- Specific instrument package to be obtained through the grant
- Address / City / State / Zip
- Phone / e-mail address
- Total number of students attending the institution
- Number of science majors attending the college or university
- Number of courses that will use the system in class coursework
- Anticipated number of students participating in course(s) each year
- Course name(s) and course descriptions that will use the LI-6400XTR as part of curriculum. Include one or more examples of how you will incorporate the LI-6400XTR into each course.
3. For questions regarding the application, please contact: Kristin Feese, Kristin.feese@licor.com, 800-645-4201.
LEEF III Benefits
The college classroom and field laboratory provide the bridge for today's students to become tomorrow's researchers. The rapidly accelerating study of the environment offers a new generation of scientists unprecedented challenges and opportunities. In order to be properly trained, students need to gain experience in theory, practical application, and instrumentation.
For over 38 years LI-COR instruments have been recognized world-wide for standard setting innovation in plant and environmental sciences. Our products pioneered light measurement, leaf area, CO2 and H2O gas analysis, and photosynthesis and fluorescence measurements. For example, the LI-6400XTR Portable Photosynthesis and Fluorescence System is recognized worldwide as the best system in its class and is sure to benefit faculty, students and the universities. The wide variety of accessories available for the LI-6400XTR make it easy to use for a variety of applications.
Benefits for Faculty
- Faculty can better meet increasing tenure and research requirements by combining teaching with research.
- Faculty can integrate ongoing research studies with teaching.
- Research in the classroom and in the field enhances student/faculty interaction.
- LI-COR has made it easy to use the LI-6400XTR for teaching with the use of exclusive software.
- Plant photosynthesis and fluorescence are easily explained using the automation of the LI-6400XTR.
Benefits for Students
- The LI-6400XTR provides the student with the understanding of how photosynthesis, fluorescence and respiration studies are done using the most advanced instrumentation available.
- Students will be able to perform their research projects accurately and much faster.
- Hands-on research enables students to acquire skills of critical thinking, problem identification, and time management.
- When students learn how to operate scientific equipment and follow a project from start to finish, they develop the ability to think quickly and solve difficult problems.
- By analyzing results, organizing ideas, and sharing work, students experience the inclusive part of science rather than just the textbook method.
- Students who possess research skills will be well suited for applied research positions as well as non-research jobs.
- Students are better prepared for graduate studies or medical school.
Benefits for Universities
- Scientific research in the classroom allows for university recognition as being one of the best in student training and will enhance recruitment.
- Recognition of high quality education using the best means available.
- Better preparation of undergraduate students to enter graduate level studies.
- Graduate students have superior knowledge of the subject due to their undergraduate experience.
- Enhanced student/faculty interaction.
The grant from LI-COR covers a significant portion of the LEEF Package price. The remaining cost is the responsibility of the institution. Funding and grants can come from a variety of places. The following information may help in locating funds to cover the remaining cost of the LEEF Ecophysiology Package: Tips/Advice: Writing a detailed course proposal outlining the use of the LEEF Ecophysiology Package in your classroom can be very helpful. Before writing the course proposal, you should determine the grant for which you are going to apply. Then you’ll need to get the necessary proposal preparation and submission instruction for that particular grant. Some grants require a letter of intent which should be submitted by the appropriate deadline. Letters of intent may also require the scope of your proposal as well as a proposal outline. Ideas for scope and outline can be put together by looking at courses that have been implemented at other universities and then developing a plan that best suits your particular goals. Full proposals should follow the guidelines outlined by the particular granting agency. See the following site for an example: www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=gpg. NSF offers abstracts and proposals from a university who has been successful in getting funding for their research. www.ehr.nsf.gov/pirs_prs_web/search/. The LI-COR Advantage: The LEEF Program has several advantages, making it easier for you to achieve funding:
Funding Opportunities: Many LEEF award recipients have indicated their funding came from a variety of sources. Departmental grants, start-up funds, dean or president’s funds, NSF, CCLI, HHMI, Waksman Foundation, and large gift donations are just a few. Here are some places you may want to look for funding:
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Hamilton College (Dr. William Pfitsch): "The ease of use of the LI-6400, and the diversity of measurements that can be made, ideally suit it for college student applications at all levels and in different kinds of courses." "Students can focus on understanding the relationships demonstrated by their data and develop skill in data interpretation, rather than the technical details of (and frustrations with) procedure." Bethel University (Dr. Kent G. Apostol): "Teaching photosynthesis is incredibly complex and challenging. While students may become familiar with words and descriptions of processes such as electron transport, light harvesting, oxygen evolution, and carbon fixation that are covered in lectures, they may have only a very shallow, and in some cases flawed, understanding of what these processes really are unless some form of experiments are performed in the lab. There are significant problems with teaching the ecological importance and practical aspects of photosynthesis. Laboratory exercises are available, but revolve around equipment and procedures that are cheap, unreliable, and uses antiquated instruments. I believe that the LI-6400 is widely used and the most cited photosynthesis instrument in refereed journals. It is the most up-to-date tool and an ideal system for inquiry-based learning." University of Puget Sound (Dr. Andreas Madlung): "The development of inquiry-based independent research project opportunities will enable students to use state-of-the-art equipment and encourage them to be creative in experimental design, project execution, data analysis and presentation. The use of inquiry-based labs will aid students in (a) becoming independent thinkers, (b) advancing their technical writing skills, (c) facilitating teamwork between students, and (d) enhancing overall retention of learned material. The versatility of the Li-6400 should also foster creativity among students to develop and ask significant or global experimental questions, which can be addressed at a local level." |
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Rules:
- Entries are limited to primarily undergraduate institutions in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada.
- Instrument must be used in conjunction with an undergraduate curriculum.
- LEEF awards are at the sole discretion of LI-COR, Inc.
- Awards are non-transferable. Awards must be used to purchase the LEEF Ecophysiology Package from LI-COR Biosciences. The LI-COR contribution will be applied as a credit directly to the purchase order.
- Costs of operation including, but not limited to, consumables and additional training beyond what is included with the LEEF Ecophysiology Package is the responsibility of the award recipient.
- Institutions which have already received a LEEF award in a previous round will require justification of the need for a second unit, and will only be awarded on an exceptional basis.
- Award recipients agree, if requested by LI-COR, to write a follow-up report within 18 months describing use of the instrument and benefits it offers their educational program. LI-COR reserves the right to use the name of the institution, name of faculty members, quotes from the application, and quotes from follow-up reports in press releases and promotions of the LEEF Program.
- Applications must be submitted between November 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010. Award recipients will be notified within two weeks of submission of application. Purchase orders from award recipients must be received by September 30, 2010.
