Understanding Science
About the Modules
Understanding Science currently offers half a dozen modules for elementary and middle school teachers, each on a different topic and grade span:
Current modules for grade 3-5 teachers
- Understanding Electric Circuits
- Understanding Magnets and Magnetic Force
Current modules for grade 6-8 teachers
- Understanding Energy
- Understanding Force and Motion
- Understanding Matter and Chemical Change
- Understanding Plate Tectonics
Each module offers 24 hours of professional development, divided into eight three-hour sessions, and is correlated to the National Science Education Standards for easy use with any standards-based science curriculum.
Ultimately, the full set of Understanding Science courses will present a coherent professional development curriculum, including 15 courses on the major ideas of K-8 earth, life, and physical science. Forthcoming courses include:
Future modules for grade K-2 teachers
- Understanding Balance and Weighing
- Understanding Life Cycles
- Understanding Weather
Future modules for grade 3-5 teachers
- Understanding Rocks
- Understanding Sound and Light
- Understanding Structure & Function of Living Things
- Understanding Water
Future modules for grade 6-8 teachers
- Understanding Climate and Weather
- Understanding Heredity, Selection, and Adaptation
Upcoming Events
Force and Motion (grade 8)
Dates vary by location
This course is part of a large-scale research study funded by the U.S. Department of Education, and is being offered by Understanding Science in cooperation several CA and Tucson, AZ area districts. For more information, and to complete an online application, please visit the Force and Motion for Teaching website.
Weather and Climate (grades 6-8)
August 10-14
Redwood City, CA
| Academy | Application Deadline | Stipend |
|---|---|---|
| Weather and Climate | April 15, 2009* | $800 All materials, breakfast, and lunch each day provided in exchange for your particpation and feedback. Travel and lodging not included. |
*To apply for the Understanding Weather and Climate course pilot, please email Jen Folsom (jfolsom@WestEd.org) with the following information:
Name:
School name:
Grade(s) taught:
Number of years teaching Life, Earth, and/or Physical science:
Home address:
Home city:
Home state:
Home zip:
Cell or home phone:
Email address:
Why are you interested in this course?:
“This professional development is the very best we’ve encountered. The modules helped us deepen our understanding of science content and pedagogy in ways we didn’t think possible.”
–Academy participant