California Science Center

The California Science Center Foundation, working in partnership with the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Instructional Technology Outreach office, will build upon its independently evaluated preschool science professional development pilot program by integrating technological tools, software and web-based support for educators.  The program will include a hands-on, kit-based curriculum with complementary professional development training for preschool educators.  A technology investigation section will be added to each of the pilot’s six kit-based science investigation units.  I Am a Scientist!, the anchor module of the series about science process skills, will introduce the age-appropriate technology toolkit, which will be utilized throughout the program.  Educators from a total of 15 preschool sites, five per year, will receive the STEM-enhanced professional development training with the Science Center’s Discovery Rooms, areas designed for guests aged seven and younger, serving as demonstration sites.  The California Science Center is launching the first year of this three-year program with a grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation.