The goal of “Cal Teach Science – High School” is to introduce prospective science teachers to the field of high school education and the teaching and learning of science in high school classrooms. Students involved in this course will participate in a 5 unit seminar (Science Ed 100XP) in addition to a 24-hour per quarter internship at one of our partner high schools.
Seminar information:
Students will enroll in Science Ed 100XP, a 5-unit 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 high school-age children as it relates to the introduction of concepts, curricular planning, classroom management, and learning assessment.
Science Education 100XP is typically offered Winter Quarter.
Please check the UCLA Schedule of Classes or contact the Cal Teach staff at cateach@chem.ucla.edu for the most up-to-date information.
Internship information:
In combination with the seminar, students participate in a 3 hour per week (24 hour per quarter) internship. The internship allows you to apply the theory from the seminar into a high school setting. Pairs of students are placed in local high 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 ~7:30 am and ~3:30 pm.
We normally have three partner high schools (University High School, New West Charter, and Palisades High School). University High School and New West Charter are approximately 20 minutes away via a single Big Blue Bus ride. Palisades High School is approximately 30 minutes away via a single Metro Bus ride. It is not necessary to have a car to get to your internship site. We do not provide nor reimburse for transportation.
Prerequisite:
You should have completed at least one course from the following list: Science Education 1XP (or 1SL), 10XP (or 10SL), 15XP, or Math 73XP (or 73SL), 74XP (or 71SL or 74SL), 75XP (or 72SL), or completed a Cal Teach Summer Internship. You must be making normal progress towards a degree in a science related field. Other majors are welcome to apply and your eligibility is based on the amount of science classes you have completed. If you wish to enroll and have not completed the prerequisites (at least one course from the above list), please contact the Cal Teach staff at cateach@chem.ucla.edu, to discuss possibilities.
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, fingerprinting, proof of covid vaccination, and weekly negative covid tests prior to visiting a school in person (read more about TB requirements). The specific requirements vary by school.
Please contact the Cal Teach staff with any questions at cateach@chem.ucla.edu.