TOPS: Teachers & Occidental Partnering in Science
My alma mater has an excellent program for teacher training in laboratory experiments. I attended their Biology and Chemistry summer workshops and used many of their experiments in my classes.
This amazing organization provided kits and instructions to make Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells using blackberry juice. I have used this as an application for electron behavior and as a connection to the physics of electricity. This same project was conducted at Canyon Oaks and Barnhart School, with modifications for each group of students.
This incredible program provides pre-service teachers with real research experiences, preparing them to be even better STEM educators. Through STAR I had the opportunity to conduct research at NASA Ames that contributed to the publication of this research paper.
STAR also has continued to provide phenomenal professional development programs for teachers, during which participants explored the marine biology research stations at CalPoly San Luis Obispo (pictured left). Also special thanks to Ed Himelblau, who drew the illustrations for the Prolia project, and Seth Bush, who provided invaluable curriculum design help, and is the creator of this brilliant Chemistry game.
Amazing resources bring real biotech to your students. A group of ESL 8th graders conduct electrophoresis at a summer camp in Monrovia, CA.
Excellent professional development experiences in California's Central Valley. Drive a tractor, milk a cow and learn how our food is really made.
TIC provides trout eggs for you to hatch, grow in your classroom and then release them in an approved location.
Through LA County Sanitation District, students get to experience a wastewater treatment first hand and create a miniature version in the classroom.