UCSF SEP leads a range of programs for SFUSD K-12 teachers. These programs include classroom-based partnerships, courses and seminars, and school site-based professional learning communities. Supporting all of this work are the Daly Ralston Resource Center, a lending library of materials to support hands-on science learning, and SEPLessons, an online database of lessons developed by SEP staff and participants.
Classroom-based Partnerships
The majority of SEP’s classroom-based partnerships require about a 20 hour commitment in the spring semester. SFUSD K-12 teachers are partnered with two to four UCSF scientist volunteers. Teachers and UCSF volunteers meet at an Orientation in January, hosted by SEP. At the Orientation, SEP reviews the program’s expectations, shares tips for a successful partnership, and provides time for teams to schedule lessons and begin planning. Between January and April, each team co-plans and co-teaches a minimum of four lessons.
Teachers and volunteers are partnered on the basis of school site characteristics, volunteer backgrounds and language proficiencies, and scheduling constraints. UCSF volunteers are a diverse group consisting of doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, students from the professional schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing, and physical therapy, research assistants, and faculty. Your scientist partners will have a strong general science background as well as detailed expertise in a particular field of science. In addition, they will have first-hand experience with science process skills and investigative approaches to science, therefore making them an excellent resource for planning hands-on lessons.
Teachers in our partnership programs are mentors to the scientist volunteers, providing guidance about many aspects of teaching, such as the age-appropriateness and accessibility of the lessons, strategies to engage students, as well as classroom and materials management. After a lesson, teachers can provide constructive feedback and help facilitate reflection about the teaching.
Elementary school teachers can learn more about these programs: STAT and MedTeach. For middle and high school teachers, see Bio&ChemTeach.
High school teachers may be interested in SEP’s year-long partnership program, Pathways. This program begins with a 2-day retreat in August; teachers and UCSF scientists co-plan and co-teach 10 lessons and attend a professional development workshop series. For more info, see Pathways.
Courses and Seminars
Elementary teachers can learn more about their grade level FOSS kits in City Science, a week-long institute co-taught by an experienced SFUSD teacher and a UCSF scientist.
Elementary and middle school teachers can deepen their biology and/or chemistry knowledge through content-rich, inquiry-based courses, the Architecture of Life and Chemistry of Life.
Middle and high school teachers can experience interactive seminars on current research in biology led by UCSF early-career scientists in the Current Science Seminar Series.
Professional Learning Communities
Through SF Science, elementary school teachers are able to share ideas and collaborate about science teaching and learning.
Internships for High School Students
Each summer, SEP hosts 20 SFUSD rising seniors in UCSF research labs. SFUSD high school science teachers are asked to nominate up to three students for this program each December. Learn more at High School Internship Program.
Summary of Program Opportunities for Teachers & Their Students
| Classroom-based Partnerships |
Courses & Seminars | Professional Learning Communities | Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School | STAT MedTeach |
City Science Architecture of Life Chemistry of Life |
SF Science | |
| Middle School | Bio&ChemTeach | Architecture of Life Chemistry of Life Current Science Seminar Series |
||
| High School | Bio&ChemTeach Pathways |
Current Science Seminar Series | High School Intern Program |