Understanding the Science

UC Santa Barbara’s Center for Sustainable Use of Renewable Feedstocks (CenSURF) and the South Coast Science Project teamed with Science Matters and District Teacher Leaders to create a week of hands-on learning opportunities for 35 elementary school teachers in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Meeting at Carpinteria Middle School, the teachers immersed themselves in the Next Generation Science Standards through lessons involving the disciplinary core ideas of Molecules to Organisms and Ecosystems.

Based on the Framework for K-12 Science Education developed by the National Research Council — the operating arm of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering — the Next Generation Science Standards are designed to provide all students an internationally benchmarked science education.

At UCSB, teacher leaders worked with faculty members, highlighting lessons that integrated the English Language Arts Common Core Standards and language development for English-language learners with the Next Generation Science Standards. 

Headquartered at UCSB, CenSURF is a Center for Chemical Innovation funded by the National Science Foundation.