Teaching Science
The facts:
- 80% of Oakland's ninth graders are NOT proficient in Biology *
- In 1970, the U.S. produced more than 50 percent of the world's science and engineering doctorates. If current trends continue, by 2010, the U.S. will produce only about 15 percent of the world's science and engineering PhDs. **
Fellows who teach science bring a strong foundation in their subject and the ability to impact the lives of the students they teach. By becoming science teachers, Fellows are able to translate their content knowledge into socially meaningful work.
What areas do science Fellows teach?
Science Fellows may teach biology or chemistry at the high school level. At the middle school level, science Fellows may also teach broader general science concepts: a combination of life, physical, and earth sciences.
Benefits of Teaching Science
In order to attend a University of California or California State University school, students must successfully complete two years of laboratory science including Biology or Chemistry. Science Fellows share their knowledge and love of science to ensure that students master the academic skills necessary to access higher education and develop their ability to make informed decisions about issues that affect them on a personal and global level. Science Fellows work to ensure students are able to know, use and interpret scientific explanations of the natural world and are able to participate meaningfully in scientific activities and discourse.
Through the summer Training Institute, science Fellows will receive training on general teaching pedagogy which prepares them to increase student achievement as a beginning teacher. During the first two years of teaching, Fellows will also build their knowledge base through credentialing courses focused on best teaching practices for the science classroom. Fellows also attend professional development events coordinated by the Oakland Teaching Fellows program- and have the chance to connect with other science teachers in the Fellows program to share challenges and best practices. Fellows will also participate in professional development sessions through Oakland Team Science, coordinated by the District's Instructional Services department. Every six weeks, Team Science presents workshops featuring best practices in urban science education. These workshops are led by experienced OUSD teachers and focus on sharing of curriculum, content specific strategies, and peer support. At their school sites, Fellows may also collaborate with other teachers in their department and grade level teams.
For more information on teaching science, visit the National Science Teachers Association website.
To connect with a science teacher or Fellow in the Oakland Unified School District, send an email with your name, phone number, and question or request to observe to Connect@OaklandTeachingFellows.org. Current Teaching Fellows can answer specific questions about teaching science in Oakland and/or schedule an observation in an Oakland science classroom.
*California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR), 2008
**Standard and Poor
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