Chapters - Region 3
Central California Science Teachers Association
- CCSTA
Fresno C.O.E., 1111 Van Ness, Fresno,
CA 93721
Stephen Bock
| (209) 265-3057 (w)
Gold Coast Science Network - GCSN
P. O. Box 390, Fillmore, CA 93016
Debbie Bereki
| (805) 524-2471 (h) | (805) 524-6139 (w)
goldcoastscience.org
Resources - Region 3
California Science Projects
The California Science Project (CSP) is a university-based
professional development network for pre-K-16 teachers
of science that utilizes highly skilled teams of educators
and scientists drawn from universities and school districts
across the state. This statewide network works toward
the common goal of improving science education for all
California students. The CSP has convenient sites across
the state at campuses of the University of California,
California State University, and independent colleges/universities.
There are six science projects in Region
3:
Central
Valley Science Project—CSU Fresno
Central Coast
Science Project—Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
South
Coast Science Project—UC Santa Barbara
San Fernando
Valley Science Project—CSU Northridge
UCLA
Science Project
San Gabriel
Valley Science Project—Cal Poly Pomona
County Offices of Education
Los Angeles County Office of Education - Science Education & Field Study
The goal of the Science Department is to provide personalized,
timely and quality service and resources for teachers/administrators
in schools, districts and the county. Services are geared
toward optimum science instruction for all students.
Through various programs, workshops, symposia and community
activities, LACOE's Science Consultants strive to improve
academic achievement, scientific literacy, classroom
instructional practices and leadership strategies for
students, teachers and administrators.
Fresno County Office of Education - STEM
STEM @ FCOE seeks to combine the work of the Common
core with the STEM mindset, that is, an interdisciplinary
approach to learning where academic concepts are taught
through real-world problem-based and perforance-based
lessons.
Madera County Office of Education - Science
Assistance is provided for educators in developing and
matching curriculum with the State Content Standards,
Frameworks, Instructional Materials and professional
development in each subject area. Planning and facilitation
services are provided at district request. Kathy Condren:
or 559-662-3852.
Ventura County Office of Education - STEM
Nathan Inouye, Coordinator - 805-437-1342
Merced County Office of Education - Science
Jonathan Rhodea, Math & Science Coordinator, Phone:
(209) 381-5908
Santa Barbara County Office of Education
Curriculum & Instruction professional learning opportunities:
San Luis Obispo County Office of Education
Patricia Garrett (805) 782-7271
Tulare County Office of Education - STEM Development
& Curriculum Specialists
Michell French: 559-651-3003 and Jared Marr: 559-651-3047.
Kings County Office of Education
Los Angeles Environmental Learning Center at Hyperion
The City of Los Angeles designed the Los Angeles Environmental
Learning Center at Hyperion for school and community
groups. It is located inside the Learning Center at
Hyperion Treatment Plant in Playa Del Rey (near the
Los Angeles International Airport), so reservations
are required! Geared towards grades 5-12. Discover how
to partner with Sanitation to protect Earth’s
resources through sustainable water and solid resources
management. We bring textbook and classroom learning
to life in our Clean Water and Zero Waste exhibit galleries.
We are located at 12000 Vista Del Mar, Playa Del Rey, 90293, south of LAX, immediately across from Dockweiler Beach. Our facility is just under four miles west of the 405 Freeway and approximately one-half mile south of Imperial Highway. Visitors will check in with the guard at Gate C. To find Gate C, look for the traffic signal at Learning Center at Hyperion Way and Vista Del Mar! Our Environmental Learning Center is just south of the entry gate. Admission is free, and there is parking for buses, vans and cars next to the Center. Contact us soon to schedule your visit! or call (310) 648-5363.
Heal the Bay’s Santa Monica Pier
Aquarium
Marine biology and environmental education programs
for K-12 students and their teachers. Field trips include
informal educator presentations both inside the aquarium
and on the beach just outside its doors. Classes are
based on the California science standards, are two hours
in length, and are offered weekdays at 9:30 a.m. and
12:00 p.m. The fee is $150 for a maximum of 60 students;
teachers are free. For reservations call 310-393-6149,
ext. 105.
Nanotechnology “Chip Camps”
Chip Camps are available to small groups of motivated
students and their teachers. A chip camp is an intensive
hands-on, inquiry-based learning experience in nanotechnology.
High school students spend either 1, 3, or 5 days in
a teaching clean room facility, learning tricks of light
and chemicals to make a tiny microresistor. Longer camps
are available, and funding is available to cover expenses
to the University of California, Santa Barbara. Contact
Angela Berenstein at or call
(805) 893-5999. For more information see.
Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden at UCLA
A living museum comprised of over 5,000 species of plants
from all over the world. The garden offers free docent-led
school tours for grades 1-12 on Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday from 10 am to 2 pm, providing an exciting adjunct
to science and social studies curriculum. As part of
its written confirmation package, the garden sends teachers
free pre-tour guides for grades 2-12 school groups to
use in preparing students for their visit to the garden.
Follow-up guides are given to the teacher at the conclusion
of the tour. Call (310) 825-1260.
UCLA Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve
The 310-acre UCLA Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains
Reserve, an outdoor classroom and living laboratory
for environmental education and research, lies in the
Cold Creek watershed of the Santa Monica mountains.
The reserve has forged a partnership with UCLA and K-12
education in the greater Los Angeles area and offers
3-hour school programs focusing on chaparral and fire
ecology, geology, and early local Native American and
homestead history. The 1.5 mile hike introduces students
to Chumash village life, including acorn grinding, cave
wall painting, playing of Chumash games, and demonstrations
of tool making. The reserve is accessible by prior permission
only. Teachers interested in booking docent-led tours
should call the MRT office at (818) 591-1701, ext. 130.
Free curriculum guides are available at.
Natural History Museum of LA County
For more information, call 213-763-3534.
San Joaquin Valley Children’s
Science Museums
Science exhibits and much more are available for field
trips and walk-in visitors at:
Castle Science and Tech Center, Atwater—www.challengersjv.org,
(209) 726-0296
ImagineU Interactive Children’s
Museum, Visalia—www.imagineumuseum.org
Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, Bakersfield—www.sharktoothhill.org
Children’s Museum of the Sierra,
Oakhurst, Madera County—www.childrensmuseumofthesierra.org,
(559) 658-5656
Madera County Fossil Discovery Center, Fairmead—www.maderamammoths.org