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The Chemistry of Life Course

The Chemistry of Life Course, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the California Science Project,  was offered for the first time during the summer of 2005.  Similar to the Architecture of Life, this course is designed to provide SFUSD elementary and middle school teachers with knowledge and experiences in the culture of science, the process of experimentation, and key chemical concepts. A wide variety of instructional strategies are modeled, such as laboratory investigations, poster presentations, reflections, lectures, discussions, and readings. Chemical concepts are broken down, and activities demonstrate the real-world importance of chemistry.Participating teachers:
  • Gain expertise in asking scientific questions, designing their own experiments, and refining their designs         
  • Benefit from a community of fellow “teacher-scientists”, and
  • Have rare time to reflect on and integrate their learning.

The course is grounded in the K-8 California State and National Science Content Standards that address physical sciences related to life sciences. Classes of compounds that are critical to biological structure and function are highlighted: water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Download the Summer Courses brochure!

“…. I appreciate [that] the structure of the class has been inquiry coupled with reflection, because both parts are essential to the learning process. One thing I have learned from this class is to create room for reflection in my science lessons….”

 

“Hurrah!  Chemistry no longer frightens nor bores me. This course has helped me look at chemistry in a totally different light. The whole process of looking at chemistry showed me there is so much in this subject that requires not just acquiring knowledge but inquiry.”

 
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EVENTS -- Annual Partnership Conference :: Science Supplies Give-Away