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City Science Summer Institute

The City Science Summer Institute is designed to give elementary school teachers grade level experience in hands-on, inquiry-based science.

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.

- 2008 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.

- 2008 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.

Collaboratively designed and taught by scientists and educators, course content is organized to aid in the articulation of standards and teaching of the SFUSD adopted science instructional materials in each of the elementary grades (K-5), while supporting adult content learning.

Grade level courses for Summer 2012 include:

  • Kindergarten - Wood and Paper
    1st Grade - Air and Weather
    2nd Grade - Pebbles, Sand and Silt
    3rd Grade - Matter and Energy
    4th Grade - Solid Earth
    5th Grade - Living Systems

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 you 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 an SFUSD teacher interested in registering for the 2012 City Science Summer Institute (June 4-8, 2012) ?

Register online using the following Survey Monkey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CityScience2012

Download the 2012 City Science Summer Instiute Brochure here: City Science Brochure 2012

Download the 2012 City Science Registration Form here: 2012 City Science Registration Form

 

Are you a SFUSD teacher or UCSF Scientist interested in being a City Science Instructor?

Information for Prospective City Science Instructors

Questions?

Please Contact:

Lakisha Witzel

415-476-0337

or
Jennifer Chu Kaelin
(415) 476-6937


SEP's Fax # for send in registration forms: (415) 502-4846