Undergraduate "Biology Ambassadors" from one of Cornell's outreach programs helped these students at the Wilson Magnet School in Rochester, N.Y., gain experience with molecular biology.

Faculty at many universities complain about the lack of preparation among their incoming students, especially in the sciences. Cornell University is one of an increasing number of institutions that are doing more than just talking about the problem.

The Cornell Institute for Biology Teachers has been so successful that it is being copied nationwide - a remarkable endorsement in the world of education.

The Institute brings together 24 high school instructors from throughout New York for lectures, field trips, hands-on laboratories, and computer training to improve their biology teaching. It also offers laboratory exercises that fit the budget and time constraints of a typical high school, with titles such as "DNA Profiling in the Courtroom."

Following the summer program, participants remain in contact electronically with each other and Cornell staff. They get support through equipment loans and school visits by faculty members, and return to Cornell twice during the school year. A full-time extension associate helps them run technology-intensive laboratories in their classrooms and provides workshops for other teachers.

The program, which operates as a true partnership between Cornell faculty and the teachers, has helped to transform science education throughout New York State. It has expanded to Cleveland, Boston, and Hartford, and more recently to Montana and metropolitan New York. In addition, the laboratories created at the institute have been developed into kits that are being distributed commercially.

Cornell developed the summer institute with support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which has also helped other colleges and universities across the country to reach out to local schools with innovative programs. Some examples:

• At Princeton University's program, like the one at Cornell, helps teachers to develop new biology laboratories and integrate computer technology into their classrooms.

• The University of Colorado at Boulder provides numerous outreach programs for K-12 teachers and students, and special biology laboratories for preservice elementary teachers.

• Clemson University is deeply involved in a state-mandated restructuring of middle school science, involving teacher development and Web-based supplemental instruction.

• At Oregon State University,the SMILE program generates interest in science and in higher education in eight rural communities with high minority populations.

• The Genetics Education Networking and Enhancement Project at Kansas State University has taught hundreds of teachers effective ways of teaching genetics and shared information through a book, videotapes, a Web site, and educational articles.

• Rice University, in collaboration with the Baylor College of Medicine, offers a week-long academic and enrichment program for dozens of high school students each year from three magnet schools with high minority populations.