Pause on Environmental Science Center Programming for School Year 2025-26

Since 1976, SFUSD has partnered with the National Park Service and Golden Gate National Recreation Area to offer free overnight field studies for elementary classes at Fort Funston and day field studies in Golden Gate and McLaren Parks. Unfortunately, in this difficult time of budget reductions, SFUSD can no longer maintain all of the systems and personnel required to host programming. Therefore, we will be pausing all Environmental Science Center programming for the 2025-26 school year. 

SFUSD remains wholeheartedly committed to science education for students, and the STEM team is dedicated to supporting curriculum and instruction in science, math, and computer science, outdoor-learning, and after school programs in STEAM. 

In addition, the STEM team will continue to support teacher professional learning, safety in science, and support science materials delivery to all schools in SFUSD. 

Program elements that we plan to continue next year include:

• K-12 math support for newly adopted curriculum and professional learning in K-8 and 9-12 curriculum for core math courses in high school with Salesforce support

• K-12 Science Core Curriculum digital + consumable resources for all schools

• K-12 Computer Science curriculum support and site-based computer science positions funded by the STEM partnership with Salesforce

• Department Chair networks in elementary and secondary; to ensure support for schools’ science curriculum and instruction and that materials arrive in schools; this includes high school department chair meetings monthly

• Climate Action Teacher Fellowships: K-12 teachers funded by SFPUC who receive training and support in implementing climate action projects with their students & present at the annual SF Climate Action Youth Summit in April

• Climate Action Student Fellowships: 9th-12th graders representing all SFUSD high schools who gather in person and virtually for workshops with climate action professionals throughout the school year for climate literacy, college and career readiness, and to design and implement a Climate Action Project in their community. Funded by the SFPUC. Students present at the annual SF Climate Action Youth Summit in April

The program pause will be difficult. However, please know the district remains wholeheartedly committed to science education for students, and the STEM team is dedicated to supporting curriculum and instruction in science, math, and computer science, outdoor-learning, and partnering with after school programs in STEAM. In addition, the STEM team will continue to support teacher professional learning, safety in science, and support science materials delivery to all schools in SFUSD.

We are committed to engaging in a strategic planning process to establish a sustainable funding model that supports students learning outside. Schools that participate in this program are receiving updates directly regarding these changes next year.