Visit the Target Science teacher network and see how this teacher-directed network is working to improve science education

The Evolution of Target Science Teacher Network 1987 Awarded Leadership Team Grants to regional teams for implementation of articulation projects and support of networking activities (ongoing) Initiated K-12 Science Dialogues (articulation meetings between schools in Garfield and Westchester Complexes with monthly follow-ups Awarded LAUSD Science Centers grants of $2500 to assist meeting the needs of science teachers in the network and beyond Awarded grants to math/science teachers through LAEP's Small Grants program; became Toyota Funds for Innovation Grants (ongoing) 1988 Expanded network to include Roosevelt and Washington Complexes meeting monthly Organized Science Resource Fair in collaboration with LAUSD Science Centers to increase awareness among science teachers of science activities and materials available Instituted TELEventure, an email & newsgroup system, with phone lines in 15 schools Awarded competitive mini-grants to teachers for implementing classroom lessons presented at K-12 Science Workshops 1989 Initiated Leadership Academy to strengthen leadership skills and reform knowledge and initiated Leadership Retreat to share information and strengthen the network and implement science reform at school sites (ongoing) Placed seven teachers to summer internships at industry sites Awarded Professional Development Grants for $150 - $1000 for teachers to attend science education conferences and research expeditions Implemented workshops to articulate teaching strategies and science curriculum Held Family Science Saturday workshops at the Museum of Science & Industry for East Los Angeles and South Central parents and students (through 1990) Awarded School Science Restructuring Grants of up to $2,000 to 22 schools to assist in articulating and coordinating a school wide science program aligned with the California Science Framework 1990 Held Family ScienceSaturday workshops at the Museum of Science & Industry for East Los Angeles and South Central parents and students Expanded Resource Fair into Spring Science Conference to disseminate inquiry based activities and access latest vendor offerings 1991 Added one day Fall Leadership Academy to develop leadership (ongoing) Assisted Target Science schools in administering Family Science at K-12 Leadership Teams (ongoing) 1992 Strengthened science explorations by incorporating use of technology, field investigations, updates from university faculty and inquiry based activities Awarded materials grants to teachers completing the requirements of the K-12 Science Explorations Workshops Trained 140 teachers in telecommunications Built 200 partnerships between university and industry scientists and classroom teachers to bring role models, university research and industry applications to the classroom (through 1997) 1993 Implemented classroom demonstrations to provide teachers with an opportunity to observe specific content lessons and pedagogical strategies 1994-PRESENT Expanded telecommunications component via LALCNet; technology becomes integral part of K-12 science workshops (ongoing) Trained 240 Target Science members in email and Internet use; on-line content includes resources and inquiry -based lessons (ongoing) Structured Leadership Teams to become self-governing bodies meeting monthly to plan and implement complex projects and K-12 Science Explorations (ongoing)