The goal of “Cal Teach Science – Elementary School” is to introduce prospective science teachers to the field of elementary education and the teaching and learning of science in elementary school classrooms. Students involved in this course will participate in a 2 unit Pass/No Pass seminar (Science Education 1XP) in addition to a 20-hour per quarter internship.

Seminar information:

Students will enroll in Science Education 1XP, a 2-unit Pass/No Pass seminar taught on UCLA’s campus. Through this seminar, students are introduced to inquiry-based learning practices, National and California standards, reading and learning differences in children, and the cognitive ability of elementary-age children as it relates to the introduction of concepts, curricular planning, classroom management, and learning assessment.

For 2022-23, the seminar is offered Spring Quarter.

Please check the UCLA Schedule of Classes or contact cateach@chem.ucla.edu for the most up-to-date information.

Internship information:

In combination with the seminar, students participate in a 2.5 to 3 hour per week (20 hours per quarter) internship. The internship allows you to apply the theory from the seminar into an elementary school setting. Pairs of students are placed in local elementary school classrooms to observe, participate, and assist a Mentor Teacher. The culminating project is to teach your own lesson plan, created in the seminar and based on California standards, during your internship. The internship is scheduled based on your availability and is scheduled Monday-Friday between 8am and 3:30pm.

We have three partner elementary schools (Warner Elementary School, Westwood Charter Elementary School, and Fairburn Elementary School). All three of these schools are located close to UCLA and are accessible by walking or a single Big Blue Bus ride. It is not a requirement to have a car to get to your internship site. (We do not provide transportation nor reimburse for transportation expenses).

 

 

Prerequisite:

You must be making normal progress towards a degree in a STEM discipline (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Other majors are welcome to apply and your eligibility is based on the amount of science classes you have completed.

You may only take Science Education 1XP (formerly 1SL) one time.

 

How to Apply?

 

You need to fill out a short online application in order to receive permission to enroll in the seminar though MyUCLA. Once accepted into the seminar,  we will send you a PTE number that will enable you to enroll in the course.

In our main menu, go to "Apply" and choose "Online Applications" from the drop down menu. In "Course Applications" page, select link for the quarter and course of interest.

Note that you may need to provide proof of negative TB status, proof of covid vaccination, and weekly negative covid tests prior to visiting a school in person.

You must be in good academic standing to enroll in a course as pass/ no pass - see UCLA Academic Regulations..

Please contact the Cal Teach staff  at cateach@chem.ucla.edu with any questions.