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Greetings!
Since 1987, L.A. Education Partnership has been supporting LAUSD K-12 teachers with Target Science, a
teacher directed professional development network that helps teachers introduce
students in low-income schools to leading-edge science and higher-quality
instruction.
The article below will give you a quick look at how Target Science seminars, field investigations and monthly meetings bring teachers to places such as the LA River and the LA Arboretum, so they can take what they learn back to their classrooms through engaging science lessons for their students.
Peggy Funkhouser
President & CEO
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From the L.A. River to the Arboretum: Target Science Teachers Investigate
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Teachers in LAUSD have enjoyed collecting water samples and measuring the thirst of trees as part of this year's Target
Science focus on field
investigations in environmental science. A particular emphasis for the year
is connecting Target Science teacher networks to scientists about environmental topics.
"Teachers
who have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and engage in hands-on
research by working along side scientists in the field gain a better
understanding of how to help their students understand scientific
subjects," said Dr. Julia Rankin Morandi, Director of Target Science.
Taking water samples at the L.A. River
For the first semester, the
teachers learn how to conduct scientific investigations through a variety of
activities, seminars and field investigations. In the second semester, the focus
will shift to lesson design so that teacher teams can bring those experiences
directly into the classroom through the development of standards-based lessons
and hands-on activities. As a culminating activity in the spring, teachers will
share their acquired knowledge with their students exploring the natural world
for a day at a neighboring park in our "Science in the Park" event.
"I especially like the L.A. River investigations because I teach an ecology unit in the spring and can take what I learn there directly back to my students," said Jennifer Pointer, a sixth grade earth science and math teacher at Sun Valley Middle School. Pointer enjoys being able to network with teachers from different grade levels, and appreciates the hands-on activities. "I showed my students that the scientists I work with in the field use the same notebooks my students use in the classroom," she said.
This city-wide community of science
learners in turn instills environmental stewardship and activism in their
students by engaging in three areas: Science Seminars, Field Investigations and
regular monthly meetings.
Science Seminars & Field
Investigations
In October, teachers receive an
insider's view of the scientific research that affects the health of our
everyday lives when Dr. Heather McCarthy, researcher for the Earth System Science department at UC Irvine, shared her research tools, methods and
techniques for investigating water use by urban trees. This science seminar,
held at the LA County Arboretum, in Santa Anita, CA, allowed teachers to see first-hand Dr.
McCarthy's methods of gathering data in the field at a research site in the
arboretum.
 Dr. McCarthy demonstrates methods
for measuring water used by urban trees
On a Saturday in November, an all
day field investigation at the L.A. River gave teachers a chance to explore various sites
along the river from Glendale
to the Los Feliz area and beyond. Teacher
teams investigated the flora and fauna along the shore, the human impact on the
river, and the quality of the water based on chemical studies they conducted and
animal life within. Upcoming field
investigations include trips to the Los Angeles Zoo to examine animal behavior
and the chaparral in the Santa Monica Mountains to study the impact of fires on the ecosystem.
On December 14, an after-school
Science Seminar at the LA River Center will include a presentation by Dr.
Marcus Eriksen, Director of Research Development of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation. He will share his research on the environmental impact of
plastics in the LA River, and positive solutions for environmental issues that
teachers can share with their students. Teachers will also analyze the data
collected during the L.A.
River field investigation
in November to draw conclusions based on evidence and develop testable
questions for future research.
Monthly Meetings
At teacher-led monthly meetings held during the
school year, teachers receive information on how to analyze the data they
collect in the field, and how to apply a research-based model in their
classrooms. They also walk away with a team-produced science investigation
lesson with all components and handouts. This year, meetings have familiarized
teachers with various types of field investigations that can be conducted with
their students, helped them better understand the physical and chemical
parameters of water quality for classroom aquaria, and shown them data collection
techniques. The relaxed atmosphere of these meetings contributes to a city-wide
community of science learners and practitioners, and allows teachers to
collaborate with their colleagues.
Teachers make their way to the L.A. River
Over 100 teachers who serve more
than 8,000 students are participating in a 50 hour combination of field
investigations, science seminars and monthly meetings over two semesters.
Teachers receive one salary point for their participation, which is offered at
no cost to them.
It's never too late to join! Target Science is open to all K-12 teachers in Los
Angeles at no charge. For more information or to
register, please contact Rosa Peralta at rperalta@laep.org.
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