Target Science is a teacher-directed network that brings secondary and elementary science teachers, scientists and community leaders together to improve science education. Target Science is based on the belief that all students should be able to inquire, reason, problem solve, and communicate to be prepared for the 21st century.

Four regional K-12 Target Science Leadership Teams meet monthly to focus on improved instruction. Teams implement 16-hour workshops to strengthen science content background and teaching practices of teachers and also implement Family Science events to involve parents and community members in science activities. Project Inquiry, a collaborative project with Los Angeles Systemic Initiative and the UCLA Science Project, works with families of schools to facilitate and encourage the use of technology in scientific inquiry. Target Science publishes online teacher-designed lessons, resources and content for teachers and student work on the Target Science Web site. The SMART Catalog features community resources and professional development opportunities in math and science for teachers. Target Science co-directs the UCLA Science Project, one of 13 sites statewide.

Achievements

Target Science leadership teams:

• Conducted four, 16-hour K-12 workshop series serving more than 100 teachers

• Engaged more than 3,000 parents and students in Family Science events

• Worked with 65 teachers from 11 schools in Project Inquiry professional development to integrate the use of technology into scientific inquiry

• Held on-site professional development in science and technology for five school-based management schools, serving 86 teachers

• Conducted five weeks of summer institutes for Project Inquiry and the UCLA Science Project

• Conducted a one-day leadership academy and a two-day leadership retreat serving 90 teachers, addressing Stanford 9 assessment and state science standards

Visit the Target Science Web page at http://www.laep.org/target/. The SMART Catalog, which features resources and professional development opportunities for math and science teachers, may be accessed at http://www.laep.org/catalog/home.html.

For more information about Target Science, contact Patricia Dung at (213) 622-5237 or via email at exchange@laep.org.