Sally Ride Science at UC San Diego focuses on professional development for teachers; K-12 STEM + Arts education, including courses, lectures, and camps; and online programs through UCTV. The goal is to help educators build students’ STEM literacy and make connections between what students are learning and the STEM fields that are expected to experience rapid job growth in the coming decades. The nonprofit will create new programs and make use of existing Sally Ride Science programs. Existing programs include Cool Careers in STEM, which provides professional development for teachers and classroom resources to awaken students’ interest in STEM topics and careers. Research shows that learning about STEM careers and the diverse people working in these fields inspires students and makes the study of science, technology, engineering, and math more meaningful to them. Another major existing program is Key Concepts in Science. This integrated standards-based program provides professional development for educators on how to teach science using the 5E instructional model, along with classroom resources that educators can use to build students’ STEM literacy and college and career readiness. The program reflects research showing that teaching fewer science concepts in greater depth gives students a solid foundation to develop STEM literacy.
Activities
Before its acquisition by UC San Diego, Sally Ride Science implemented a variety of STEM-related educational initiatives. The company:
created and ran a National Engineering Design competition for eight years and created a documentary film following five teams of boys and girls during the 2008 competition.
created 90 STEM and STEM careers books with comprehensive teacher guides, and more than 200 hands-on STEM investigations.
developed and held the Sally Ride Science Academy for six years, using a train-the-trainer model.
trained more than 30,000 teachers and reached more than 6 million students with STEM and STEM careers books.
operated EarthKAM, engaging more than 600,000 students and their teachers in 80 countries.
helped spark the national discussion and shift the national perspective on the importance of involving girls and underrepresented minority students in STEM as they go through school and beyond.
