SDSA Programs

The San Diego Science Alliance sponsors projects that connect teachers with resources from the local scientific community and help teachers learn about and use exemplary instructional materials.

MSSELI
The Middle School Science Education Leadership Initiative (MSSELI) is a program developed by the San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego City Schools, The San Diego Foundation, and the San Diego Science Alliance. The goal of MSSELI is to identify lead science teachers from San Diego City and County middle schools. Once identified, these teachers participate in an intensive summer and academic year professional development program focused on science content, leadership strategies, and collaboration with area public and private scientific institutions.

PISCES
Community-wide educational events and programs draw hundreds of teachers and business leaders. One such program is Partnerships Involving the Scientific Community in Elementary Schools (PISCES) Project, a district-based, community-supported elementary science improvement program for grades K through 6 that works collaboratively with higher education faculty and students, practicing scientists, and classroom teachers.

Resource Catalog
The Resource Catalog is distributed to more than 2000 local teachers through the SDSA web site, and is made available online through the SDSA web site, where it is continually updated.

Science Alliance E-News
The “Science Alert” e-mail service provides advance information about local events and resources for the more than 1,300 registered teachers.

SDSA on the Web
The web page (sdsa.org) is another essential networking tool used by both educators and students to learn about resources and current projects.

San Diego students, K-12, can participate in hands-on activities that helps foster a passion for science education and apply their intellects through a variety of programs. These include the following:

BE WiSE
Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering (BE WiSE) is a K-12 hands-on science program for girls and young women.

Expanding Your Horizons (EYH)
Expanding Your Horizons, a conference coordinated for 6th through 10th grade young women by the national Math/Science Network that increases the participation, retention, and advancement of girls and women in math, science, engineering and technology. Next conference is Saturday, October 11, 2004. More information at http://www.sdsa.org/EYH

High Tech Fair
This annual event provides up to 2,500 middle and high school students with the opportunity to interact with representatives from more than 50 local businesses who offer educational materials and a wide variety of hands-on exhibits. Look for the date on the High Tech Fair web page.

Health Sciences Initiative
The Health Sciences Initiative project is the most recent collaborative effort between SDSA and healthcare and education organizations to encourage students to study science and health in high school, specifically at high school health academies, as well as enhance Latino students’ health and science education experience.

Robotics Competition
MAST Academy/Robotics Competition, organized for 7th through 12th grade students through the San Diego County Office of Education’s Math, Science and Technology (MAST) program, allows students to learn more about and use basic skills that are important to modern robotics.