Before City Science, I followed the FOSS manual as closely as I could, but with only a superficial understanding of the purpose of the activities... Now I know what the reasoning behind the science activities is so that I can now modify what I need to [in order] to fit science activities into my schedule while fostering the learning, the inquiry process, and the vocabulary growth that my students require.
- City Science participant
Wow. What a week! I can honestly say that this week-long training was the best training I've ever been to! It was a week well spent. Not only do I leave with a knowledge and understanding of the lesson and experiments, but I leave with the confidence now of having a vast knowledge and understanding of why it happens.
- City Science participant
Overview
Today’s City Science evolved from a previous professional development effort with SFUSD of the same name, last offered in 2003. From 2007-2011 City Science was funded by Howard Hughes Medical Institute, helping SEP to reestablish this highly regarded professional development program that has demonstrated positive effects on science teaching and learning in SFUSD. Since 2012 City Science is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and is extended into the classroom with the new City Science Curriculum Support (CS2) partnership program.
Collaboratively designed and taught by scientists and educators, City Science course content is organized to aid in the articulation of standards and teaching of the SFUSD adopted FOSS science instructional materials in each of the elementary grades (K-5), while supporting adult content learning.
Grade level courses for Summer 2013 - June 10-14, 2013, include:
Kindergarten - Animals 2 x 2
1st Grade - Plants and Animals
2nd Grade - Insects & Plants
3rd Grade - Sun, Moon and Stars
4th Grade - Environments
5th Grade - Water Planet
The City Science Summer Institute includes ample time for hands-on exploration and discussions of science teaching strategies. Participating teachers experience the power of active science teaching while coming away with standards-based, age-appropriate lessons directly applicable to the classroom.
Through City Science teachers will:
- experience investigative science lessons to help your students master the California Science Content Standards
- deepen your understanding of the scientific process
- learn adult-level science behind the standards
- increase your confidence to teach science
- become a member of a professional community focused on science teaching & learning – at your school site and across the district
City Science in the News:
Institute Takes Fear Out of Teaching Elementary School Science
More than 100 elementary school teachers from the San Francisco Unified School District came together this summer to get hands-on experience on using science kits in their classrooms, though a program run by the University of California, San Francisco.
For the full story, go to http://www.hhmi.org/news/cityscience20090831.html
Are you a SFUSD teacher or UCSF Scientist interested in being a City Science Instructor?
Information for Prospective City Science Instructors
*The application deadline for SEP’s 2013 City Science Summer Institute has passed. The application process for the Summer 2013 is now closed.
Questions?
Please Contact:
415-476-0337
or
Jennifer Chu Kaelin
(415) 476-6937
Mail, fax or email completed paper applications to:
Lin Moses
Attn: City Science
Science & Health Education Partnership
University of California, San Francisco
100 Medical Center Way, Box 0905
San Francisco, CA 94143-0905
FAX: (415) 502-4846
email: lin.moses@ucsf.edu



