In SEP’s classroom partnerships, UCSF volunteers partner with SFUSD teachers to co-plan and co-teach a series of science and/or health lessons in the classroom. The UCSF volunteers are a diverse group, including graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, and students in the professional schools of medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, physical therapy, and nursing. An important feature of SEP’s classroom partnerships is that they are not single-visit “guest lectures,” rather through these programs, SFUSD students benefit from sustained contact with UCSF volunteers. SEP supports each team by providing support with lesson planning and offering hands-on science materials and kits from our Daly Ralston Resource Center.
Overview
Elementary School Programs
SEP matches UCSF volunteers with SFUSD teachers to plan and co-teach a series of lessons in kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms. Professional students from Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing and Physical Therapy Schools tend to support lessons on human body or health. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, and faculty generally support hands-on biological, physical, and/or earth science lessons.
New for 2023: STEM Storytime (grades K-5): 30-60 minute visitDuring this one-time interaction, UCSF volunteers read a selected STEM picture book to a classroom of students, lead a short demo or activity related to the book, and host a brief Q&A with the students. Selections of grade-level appropriate STEM picture books are made by SEP. These offerings do not require planning between teachers and scientists other than scheduling.
Middle and High School Programs
SEP matches UCSF volunteers (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, research scientists, and faculty) with SFUSD teachers to plan and co-teach a series of investigative science lessons around biological, physical, and/or earth science topics. Generally, one teacher partners with two to three UCSF volunteers to teach a minimum of four lessons.
Applications:
Our application for the 2022-2023 Classroom Partnership Program is coming soon!
We are excited to be back in person.