C&I Science Communication for Teachers and Administrators

Announcements!

1. 🗓️ HS Science Department Chairs/Leads/Reps: Our next meeting is today, Tuesday, 2/18/25 from 4-5:30pm. Check your Google calendar for the link to join.
   
    
2. 🌱🪱Living Organisms: Gather with your site’s Biology Team and place one order for your site for Spring semester living materials (planaria).  See below for the Spring order deadline. 
   Order Deadline………………….Arrival at Site

Fri, 2/21/2025………….....Wed, 3/5/2025

Fri, 3/7/2025……………...Wed, 3/19/2025

Fri, 4/11/202……………….Wed, 4/23/2025

 

3. 🕵🏼 Site Inspections: Department Chairs and leads were notified that the second round of inspections is here, and their site will be inspected. Please help your sites prepare for inspections as facilities and DPH coordinate dates; see here.

Teacher Opportunities!  Be sure to check the Bay Area Science Calendar for additional science-related events and activities. 

1. NEW! Monterey Bay Aquarium presents Design for Equity, Community & the Ocean Residential Educator Institute. Join us for a residential summer institute for K-12 educators. This program will guide you in creating a STEAM project for your learners, while centering the environment, equity, and your community. See flyer for more information. Apply by March 19th here.
   • The institute, housing, and three meals per day are provided free of charge
   • A stipend is provided upon completion of the program
   • CEUs are available through CSU Monterey Bay for an additional fee — verify that your district office accepts CEUs (these are non-academic units)

2. NEW! The SF State Colleges of Education, Science and Engineering, and Ethnic Studies have collaborated to offer a Graduate Certificate in PK-12 Climate Justice Education. This 12-unit program is completed over the course of a year (June 2025- May 2026) and includes support to plan and implement climate justice approaches in each educator’s context. We invite pk-12 classroom teachers, informal educators, and others who work with pk-12 students in any subject area to join this program and work together toward systemic change.
   • We have a limited number of full scholarships available for pk-12 teachers in the Bay Area! Applicants can also request an application fee waiver code. While this graduate certificate is separate from our MA degree programs, participants may apply 9 units from the certificate toward an MA in Curriculum and Instruction at SF State.
   • We invite you to visit the certificate website for more details, and also see the attached flyer. March 1 is the priority deadline for scholarship consideration. We will hold an information session on February 25. Interested educators can register here.

3. NEW! Early Career Teacher (ECT) Program (local Bay Area): We are welcoming a new cohort into our Early Career Science Teacher (ECT) Program this summer. The two-year Exploratorium ECT program provides science teachers with paid, science-specific, and ongoing individualized support. We are particularly interested in supporting teachers at your site in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of teaching science. Because we have a commitment to serving local public schools, we will prioritize applications from teachers at your site. 
   • Teachers who participate in this program will:
     • Participate in our immersive 2025 Summer Institute June 16–July 3 at the Exploratorium in San Francisco (See details below)
     • Attend Saturday workshops in specific content and pedagogical areas
     • Work in topic area based communities of practice
     • Engage in individualized coaching sessions
     • Develop capacity around equity and racial justice
     • Become a lifetime member of our long-standing community of science teaching and learning.
     • Receive stipends and opportunities to obtain graduate level continuation units for all their participation in workshops, meetings, and the Summer Institute

4. NEW! Ignited Teacher Fellowship Program: Experience today’s workforce to transform your classroom. Ignited matches you with a leading company, university research lab, or nonprofit of your choice to work on a meaningful summer project. You’ll get eight weeks of paid, hands-on work, working directly with teams at your host organization. Develop new skills while you share your expertise. Experiences can be virtual or in-person. Submit an application now for the best chance of securing a spot.  More information, requirements & to apply. 
   
    
5. Ignited Industry Experience Weeks: Learn about industries and careers to generate classroom-ready ideas that inspire students. 1 week in the summer, $1000 stipend, 4 CEUs. Experiences include:
   • Semiconductor Secrets: The Language of Technology,  June 2-6 (Bay Area) Learn more and apply
   • Science in the City: Water’s Role in Urban Environments, June 9-13 (San Francisco) Learn more and apply
     
      
6. The International Ocean Film Foundation invites your school group to be a part of an exciting ocean destination event, happening April 9, 2025 and April 11, 2025 in San Francisco. The Annual Free Student Education Program, a 90-minute program, features short films from around the world that educate, entertain and engage middle school and high school students to learn more about the ocean – both above and below the water line. Special guests and visiting filmmakers from around the world participate in post-screening Q&A sessions with the students. Please see more details here and to pre-register. The deadline for pre-registration is Friday, February 28th.
   
    
7. NEW! UC Museum of Paleontology Short Course: The Making of Habitable Planets and the Origin of Life. From the Big Bang to the formation of the stars, planets and elements, questions about the formation of our solar system, the shaping of planet Earth, and the origin of life remain. Please join us to hear leading UC Berkeley and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists speak on the origin of the elements, the formation of Solar Systems, how the Earth evolved from a molten protoplanet to its modern ocean-covered form, and the planetary basis of the origin of life on Earth. More information, speaker bios & to register. 
   • Saturday March 1, 2025, 9 AM–4 PM
   • UC Berkeley International House
   • Participating can count toward your 18 Paid PD Hours!

8. UCSF Science & Health Education Partnership (SEP) will be offering three paid science internships for high school students (in the student section) this year and one opportunity for teachers (below).  Information about each program is here. Application deadline: March 2, 2025. 
   • Cellular Construction Workshop: 10-day workshop for current sophomores, juniors, and teachers! Participants explore cellular engineering by building robots to mimic cell behavior and use cellular engineering techniques to solve real-world problems. STEM teacher participants receive curriculum to use in their classrooms.
     
      
9. The Exploratorium Summer Institute: Dates for the 2025 Summer Institute for Teachers will be announced soon in January 2025. Sign up for the  Educator Newsletter for application announcements and to stay up to date on resources and professional development opportunities! Applicants must be current in-classroom science teachers for grades 6–12 and should have at least three* years of experience teaching science in a classroom. Applicants must be available to participate for the entire three-week institute. Apply here, due March 3, 2025.  

10. ⚕️Biology and Physiology Teachers! We are pleased to announce the second UCSF Anatomy Learning Center Open Lab on Saturday, April 26th!  This event, for educators (K-12) and administrators only, offers a rare opportunity to explore human anatomy, guided by UCSF faculty and students in health professions. Immersed in UCSF’s state-of-the-art anatomy lab, you will have the chance to explore real human anatomical specimens and dissections, covering major organ systems and regions. We hope this unique and humbling opportunity will not only deepen your own understanding of anatomy but also inspire innovative ways to engage and excite your students about health and science. Please refer to the linked Google Form for details, application instructions, and to ask further questions. Sadly, we can only manage a limited number of attendees – invitations will be sent on a first-come, first-served basis as space allows. Applications must be submitted no later than April 5th. We look forward to welcoming you this spring for an unforgettable day of discovery and connection! 
    
     
11. 🦓🦒🦁Teacher Workshops in Conservation Science with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Applications are now open for this free, three-day, grant-funded professional development opportunity for middle and high school science educators, based at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California, with all room and board included. Sessions include: 
    • June 30 - July 2: High School Focus
    • July 7-9: Middle School Focus
    • July 14-16: High School Focus
    • July 21-23: Middle School Focus
    • July 28-30: High School Focus
    • Each educator must submit their own form. The deadline to apply is April 6th. Please contact TeacherWorkshops@sdzwa.org with any questions. 
    • More information & to apply. 
      
       
12. 🌊Ocean Odyssey: Tracking Marine Debris! The NOAA game Ocean Odyssey uses real data to guess where trash in the ocean finally ends up. In the game, you can choose from 15 locations around the world to begin your own Ocean Odyssey adventure! In the game, you’ll see garbage patches, large collections of trash created by some ocean currents. Investigate these garbage patches and learn why they exist. Learn how the ocean transports marine debris and ways that we can help keep our oceans clean. 

13. HHMI BioInteractive Courses: These free asynchronous courses are designed to help educators deepen their knowledge of teaching practices and biology content. 
    • Inclusive Teaching
    • Evolution 
    • Assessing for Learning. 
    • Learn more here. Participating can count toward your 18 Paid PD Hours!
      
       

Current Opportunities for Science Students - Please share with your students! 

1. 🌊🦦🦭This Saturday! Stewardship Saturday with The Marine Mammal Center! Join Cafe Ohlone co-founders and chefs Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino and The Marine Mammal Center as we take a walk through the marshes, build our own miniature tule boats, and taste some pickleweed. Learn about Ohlone language, culture, and history; how the Ohlone people use shoreline plants; and the importance of diversifying our diet and material choices to support humans and animals long term. Our hope is that you leave this event knowing more about Ohlone culture, as well as what you can do to conserve local ecosystems and traditions.
   • Theme: A Walk through the Marshes with Cafe Ohlone
   • More information and event registration link: bit.ly/febstsat25  
   • When: Saturday, February 22^nd from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
   • Where: Coyote Hills Regional Park, 8000 Patterson Ranch Road Fremont, CA 94555
   • Cost: FREE (free lunch and snacks will be provided)
   • Please make sure interested youth register before the event! If the event is full, we encourage youth to sign up for the waitlist as spaces may become available!
     
      
2. ⚕️This Saturday! UCSF Science and Health Education Partnership Teen Wellness Summit: Join 150 high school students to gain knowledge, learn new skills, reduce stigma around mental health, get helpful resources, and have FUN! Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSee92kk6yT2E9XrrG9ZVmCQ1GOPyqrK4ZIlWFno3qM0RKvCbA/viewform  
   • Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9 am - 3pm
   • UCSF Mission Bay Campus: Genentech Hall
   • FREE educational event open to all Bay Area teens in 9th-12th grade. 
   • Raffle, goodie Bags, FREE catered lunch from SF Kebab
     
      
3. ⚕️Deadline approaching!  Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford: PIPS Summer Internship for 2025 Application is Open! The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS) is a 6-week program in which rising junior and senior high school students from diverse backgrounds learn about science, medicine, and research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students, and researchers by completing a research project. The PIPS program is designed as an introductory experience for students with little to no prior exposure to research. The goals of PIPS are to:
   • Promote student interest in the biological sciences and medicine
   • Teach students how scientific research is performed and allow them to conduct research projects
   • Increase the diversity of students pursuing careers in medicine and the sciences

PIPS is intended to increase the diversity of students pursuing careers in medicine and the sciences. Stanford’s definition of diversity is broadly conceived. It includes, but is not limited to:

• First-generation college students
• Students from low socioeconomic backgrounds
• Students who identify as LGBTQIA+
• Students with disabilities
• Students who have demonstrated perseverance and achieved excellence in the face of challenging personal circumstances including overcoming discrimination, lack of educational opportunity, and similar circumstances
• Students who are a member of a federally recognized tribe
• Students with work and life experiences that would diversify the PIPS cohort

Applicants from all backgrounds are welcome to apply. Visit the PIPS website<https://stanford.us15.list-manage.com/track/click?u=46f34bda56cf6739fc8de90d2&id=4f8bf0a72f&e=5693e30594> to learn more about the PIPS program and summer experience. Deadline to apply: February 24, 2025

 

4. ⚕️UCSF Science & Health Education Partnership (SEP) will be offering three paid science internships for high school students this year.  Information about each program is below and here. Deadline for applying: March 2, 2025. Please share this information with current 10th and 11th grade students who: 
   • Are from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM (individuals from historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, first-generation college students, individuals who reside with families who are low income or otherwise considered disadvantaged, individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+)
   • Are drawn to science, curious about science, and/or newly intrigued by science
   • Would benefit from participation in order to develop a sense of belonging in science and broaden their ideas about college and careers in the biomedical sciences or public health
   • Programs include: 
     • High School Intern Program: 8-week summer internship for current juniors to learn how to conduct biomedical research, build science communication skills, and get support with the college application process. 
     • Teen Wellness Connection: 9-month program for current sophomores to learn about a wellness topic from UCSF researchers and scientists, collaborate as a team to plan a spring Wellness Summit for other teens, and build community with their peers with high schoolers across the city. This program begins with a 3-week summer intensive, then continues with bi-weekly meetings during the school year. 
     • Cellular Construction Workshop: 10-day workshop for current sophomores, juniors, and teachers! Participants explore cellular engineering by building robots to mimic cell behavior and use cellular engineering techniques to solve real-world problems. STEM teacher participants receive curriculum to use in their classrooms.
5.  🎨 The 2025 Science Without Borders Challenge is now open! The theme for this year’s Challenge is “Marine Keystone Species.” Keystone species play a crucial role in keeping ocean ecosystems healthy and balanced. To apply for this year’s contest, students should submit artwork featuring a keystone species that lives in the ocean, highlighting this creature’s vital role in its marine ecosystem by March 3, 2025.
   
    
6. NEW! iCLEM Applications Now Open! iCLEM (Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology) is a 7-week, paid high-school internship program targeted to rising juniors and seniors from underrepresented, low-income backgrounds in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco Counties. Students gain experience in state-of-the-art labs at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), and receive a stipend of $3000. Deadline: March 16, 2025. More information & to apply: https://www.iclem.org/ 
   
    
7. NEW! Stanford Medical Youth Program: A five-week immersive enrichment program focused on science and medicine that is open to low-income, first-generation high school juniors who live in Northern California. Please note: SMYSP is specifically for current high school juniors in Northern California. 
   • Our 2025 program will be held on Stanford’s campus June 23rd to July 25th, 2025.
   • Deadline to apply: March 17, 2025. 
   • More information and to apply: https://med.stanford.edu/odme/high-school-students/smysp.html

8. 🌳💧🏞️ LINC Summer Applications Now Live! Linking Individuals to their Natural Communities (LINC) is a six-week program designed for students who are open to new experiences, eager to learn new skills, enjoy working outside and have an interest in the environment. This six-week program brings youth from across the Bay Area together for a variety of local service projects, education & recreation and skills building workshops to gain career and leadership skills. No experience is necessary, and we welcome enthusiasm! Upon completion of the program students will receive up to $2400 in an educational award.  Please note that we are selecting youth based on a variety of metrics per our organizational mission and grant requirements.
   • Low income youth especially from immigrant communities
   • Youth of color, especially indigenous and black youth
   • Youth with a lack of access to remote outdoor spaces and employment opportunities
   • Youth from title 1 schools
   • Youth who are graduating seniors
   • Youth who are currently Crissy Field Center participants
     This does not mean that other youth won’t be considered for the program but this is our priority audience.
     Applications due March 18, 2025. More information & application link: https://gogaregistration.tfaforms.net/120?_gl=1*1usiy04*_gcl_au*ODMyNzg3NTc1LjE3MzE5NzUyMDg.*_ga*MjczNDYzNDk2LjE2NTUxNTY3MjI.*_ga_D50S6PV0QJ*MTczNzc2MTI0Ni42NC4xLjE3Mzc3NjIyNDIuMC4wLjA. 
     
      
9. Brain Camp @ UCSF now accepting applications! Brain Camp @ UCSF is a free 1 week summer program hosted at the UCSF Medical Center at Parnassus Heights. During the week, we cover a number of different topics across the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, pathology, and more. We also provide a comprehensive overview of the UC application process through our very popular college prep workshop. Take a look at our Camp Calendar to learn more!
   • Open to current 10th and 11th grade students.
   • Application deadline: March 30, 2025
   • More information & to apply: https://ilovebraincamp.org/application 
     
      
10. NEW! Cal Academy Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program: Careers in Science is a multi-year, year-round, paid internship and youth development program for San Francisco high school students who come from communities underrepresented in STEM, including girls and students of color. No experience necessary! To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
    • Be currently enrolled full time as a 9th or 10th grade student in an SFUSD school
    • Maintain a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math
    • Be able to obtain a valid work permit (US citizens and others authorized to work in the US)
    • Commit to all attendance requirements for 2 or 3 years, through high school graduation
    • Be able to commute to the Academy and nearby locations after school and on Saturdays during the school year, and on weekdays in the summer (some remote work may be required)
    • Demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and doing science
    • Application Period: 2/1/2025-4/1/2025. 
    • More information & apply here: https://www.calacademy.org/careers-in-science-cis-intern-program 
      
       
11. 🏫💵SFSU STEM Scholarships: San Francisco State University has 18 scholarships for entering Freshmen majoring in Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry. The objective of these scholarships, sponsored by the Genentech Foundation, is designed to prepare students from underrepresented groups, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities for successful careers in the biomedical field. Recipients of this 2-year scholarship will receive comprehensive academic support, stimulating research experience, full California resident tuition coverage at SFSU, and a monthly stipend. The total value of the scholarship, including the stipend, exceeds $25,000. 
    • More information & to apply: https://seo.sfsu.edu/incoming-freshmen 
    • Deadline: 3/30/2025

12. NEW! SF Port Summer Internship applications are now open. Our program aims to provide motivated and talented high school students and transitional-aged youth with valuable hands-on experience in the Maritime Industry and other industries that support the Port.  
    • Key Details about the Internship Program: 
      • Program Dates: June 9, 2025 – July 31, 2025 
      • Duration: 8 weeks, 20 hours per week 
      • Eligibility: SFUSD residents ages 15-25 
      • Pay: varies by program 
      • Application Process: Link Here and Flyer Attached 
      • Applications due by April 14, 2025

13. NEW! The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics (SPINWIP) is a virtual summer outreach program hosted by the Stanford Physics Department, designed to get high-school girls excited about physics. This 3-week program is completely free to participants, and is held through video chat.  First-generation students and students from underrepresented backgrounds in physics are particularly encouraged to apply. Absolutely no prior knowledge of physics or coding is required. Students will learn about cutting edge research in physics in fields such as quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology. They will learn how to code in Python, and then apply their coding skills to physics-based projects. Students will attend lectures by Stanford professors and researchers and work in small groups led by Stanford undergraduates, as well as attend college planning and career development workshops. Students will have the opportunity to form mentorship relationships with Stanford students and professors. 
    • Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2024
    • More information & to apply: https://eso.stanford.edu/programs/high-school-students#:~:text=The%20Stanford%20Medical%20Youth%20Science,is%20no%20cost%20to%20participate. 

14. 🦭🦦The Marine Mammal Center (TMMC) Upcoming Events: 
    • Marine Science Sundays: Join us in person at the TMMC hospital and visitor center in Sausalito on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Anyone can participate in the program, but you must reserve a general admission ticket to visit The Marine Mammal Center that day.
      • Feb 23 at 10:30am, 12:30pm or 2:30pm  |  Parents and Pups
      • Mar 9 at 10:30am, 12:30pm or 2:30pm  |  Magnificent Migrations
      • Mar 23 at 10:30am, 12:30pm or 2:30pm  |  Magnificent Migrations

15. Calling all Biology and Chemistry students!There's an amazing SFUSD high school student who is participating in the California Youth Climate Policy program and is also a Youth Commissioner for SF. She's a budding climate activist and designed a student survey about Climate Literacy and would love for high school students and staff districtwide to fill it out: Google Form link. 
    • "The goal of this form is to gain feedback from SFUSD Students and Faculty to see how the climate literacy curriculum* has been going for you in NGSS Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. This is for data collection purposes only. Thank you! If you have any questions, feel free to contact youth4climatactionsf@gmail.com

*Please note that the “SFUSD Climate Change Curriculum” that I am referring to is integrated in Biology and Chemistry Classes:

• Biology — NGSS Biology Textbook Unit 3: Ecology and Human Impact (including chapter 5: Fire Ecology, chapter 6: Investigating Human Impact in the Bay Area)
• Chemistry — Interdisciplinary Climate Action Projects, NGSS Chemistry Textbook Unit 5: Introduction to Climate Change, Chapters 9,10,13,16."

1. Science Safety Resources (student contracts, letters, assessments, etc.) are available to you. Safety is an essential part of all sciences classes. All students should be provided with a contract, participate in safety lessons, and pass a safety quiz at the beginning of the year. Please note this requires use of a district login. If you have a science Safety question, email: Priscilla Perez at perezp2@sfusd.edu. 
   • HS Student Safety Contracts have been translated into simplified Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, Samoan, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Russian. See folder
     
      
2. ☣️Waste labels & containers: If you need to request additional labels and containers for the upcoming year, please fill out this form for your site (1 submission per site). 
   
    
3. 📖 Accessing HS Science Curriculum: 
   • Teacher Editions (TEs): You can access all student and teacher editions electronically via Google Drive. If you are new to a site, please check-in with your science department chair/lead about a printed teacher edition. 
   • Students must be logged in to their SFUSD student accounts to access their science books. Link: https://www.sfusd.edu/learning/curriculum/high-school/science 
   • If you have a student teacher or know of a new teacher without an SFUSD email who needs access, please email Priscilla Perez (perezp2@sfusd.edu) with their Google email and the circumstances.