Understanding Science

Since its formation in 1998, WestEd’s Understanding Science team has been recognized for its expertise in helping teachers deepen their science content and pedagogical content knowledge. To produce the professional development modules that lie at the heart of the project, the team brings together collaborative development groups, comprised of teachers, scientists, science educators, language and literacy experts, and project staff. Project Co-Directors Kirsten Daehler and Mayumi Shinohara direct each development team and are specialists in the development of science teaching expertise, with experiences ranging from pre-service through in-service, accomplished teaching, and teacher leadership. Knowledgeable elementary and middle school teachers bring extensive experience in science inquiry and the education of diverse student populations to the writing of each case and module. In addition, scientists with expertise in teaching and learning help conceptualize and review the modules at critical points in the development process.

The Understanding Science Team

Kirsten Daehler, Project Co-Director
Jennifer Folsom, Curriculum Writer/Staff Developer
Jennifer Novakoski, Graphic Designer/Project Coordinator
Steve Schneider, Director of Mathematics, Science
 and Technology Program
Mayumi Shinohara, Project Co-Director
Mikiya Matsuda, Program Assistant

Consulting Scientists

Kevin Cuff, Lawrence Hall of Science
Anne Egger, Stanford University
Michael Heaney, Palo Alto Research Center
Dick Merrill, past president of the National Science Teachers’ Association
Ellen Metzger, San Jose State University
George Miller, University of California, Irvine
Jerry Pine, California Institute of Technology
Helen Quinn, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
Art Sussman, WestEd

Consulting Teachers*

Liz Abrahams, Visitacion Valley Middle School, San Francisco, CA
Larissa Adam, Manzanita Elementary, Oakland, CA
Vicki Baker, Alvarado Middle School, Union City, CA
Karla Ball, McKinley Elementary, San Leandro, CA
Anne Caploe, Hawthorne Elementary, Oakland, CA
Rebecca Carino, Cupertino Unified School District, Cupertino, CA
Anthony Cody, Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, CA
Seth Corrigan, Martin Luther King Middle School, Berkeley, CA
Bill Dolyniuk, Woodside Elementary, Woodside, CA
Matt Ellinger, Windrush School, El Cerrito, CA
Karl Fleischman, Fruitvale Elementary, Oakland, CA
Julie Harcos, Lorin Eden Elementary, Hayward, CA
Gloriane Hirata, Santa Clara County Office of Education, Santa Clara, CA
Jeriann Hirsch, Laurel Elementary School, Menlo Park, CA
Khadija Iyer, Kennedy Middle School, Cupertino, CA
Rachel Jordan, Nixon Elementary, Palo Alto, CA
Glenn Kenyon, Buena Vista Elementary, San Francisco, CA
Kathy Long, Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley, CA
Beth Louderback, Laurel Elementary School, Menlo Park, CA
Bill Mackenzie, Clifford Marine Science and Technology Magnet School,
 Redwood City, CA
Kathy Mapps, Edward Robeson Taylor Elementary, San Francisco, CA
Sherry Minick, Hillcrest Elementary, Oakland, CA
Paula Mitchell, Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Oakland, CA
Alice Moore, Marin Country Day School, Corte Madera, CA
Kathleen Nardina, Crocker Highlands Elementary, Oakland, CA
Rick Needham, Cesar Chavez Middle School, Union City, CA
Laura Pesavento, Melrose Elementary, Oakland, CA
Wanda Price, Le Conte Elementary, Berkeley, CA
Nancy Rankin, Hillview Middle School, Menlo Park, CA
Mike Schulist, Miller Creek Middle School, San Rafael, CA
Rod Septka, Park School, Mill Valley, CA
Ursula Sexton, Green Valley Elementary, Danville, CA
Suzanne Siner, Thornhill Elementary, Oakland, CA
Naomi Szoke, Horace Mann Elementary, Oakland, CA
Ken Yamada, Crocker Highlands Elementary, Oakland, CA
Joanne Zachariades, Cesar Chavez Middle School, Union City, CA

*Schools listed are where teachers taught when they worked with the project.