Great Earth Science resources are rare. Southern California earthquakes aren’t. This summer, let’s close that gap!

Sponsored by: the National Science Foundation National Geophysical Facility (NSF NGF) operated by EarthScope.

If you teach Earth science, you already know: finding high-quality, classroom-ready materials takes real effort. EarthScope Consortium has spent years building a collection of FREE geoscience resources for teachers across a range of grade levels.  

This  2 ½ day, hands-on workshop for 6-12th grade science educators in Southern California is where you help update the NSF NGF’s FREE, Earth science materials. Our resources connect students to real scientific data, including live seismograms, GPS ground motion records, and web-based earthquake tools. Students aren’t clicking through canned demos, they’re investigating the actual Earth. This workshop is where you learn to use these key resources and have input into how to make them even better! Stipend, hotel, mileage, and per diem provided!

What you’ll gain:

Participants will:

• Strengthen their understanding of earthquakes and how the Earth changes.
• Learn how the NSF National Geophysical Facility contributes to studying the Earth.
• Collaborate with peers and experts to update and adapt resources. 
• Build their network.
• Help improve resources for educators nationwide.
• Leave with revised, classroom-ready activities. 

Lessons and activities will be free, open access and focused on increasing data literacy in the classroom. Participants will be able to converse with subject matter experts and be trained on how to access additional free, open access, curriculum material. 

Who should apply?

This opportunity is designed for 6-12th grade science teachers based in Southern California who are eager to bring new Earth Science resources into their classrooms, including engaging hands-on activities, real world data, and a deeper understanding of Earth science content. You don’t need a geoscience degree, just curiosity about how the Earth works and a genuine desire to make that curiosity contagious for your students.

What we’re looking for in applications:

• An openness to learning and sharing your classroom experiences.
• Current employment as a 6th-12th grade science teacher at a Southern California school.
• A willingness to implement new Earth Science activities in your classroom and share feedback on student outcomes.

Why Southern California?

When science explains the world they already live in, it stops being something to memorize and becomes something to understand.

Southern California is a backdrop for Earth Science education; its mountain ranges, fault systems, and coastline are tangible examples of the tectonic forces occurring in the region. The geology here is highly relevant, turning science standards into explanations of the earthquakes, landslides and sinkholes students experience firsthand.

And teachers know it. We attended the NSTA National Conference in Anaheim this year, and not only did we connect with educators from across the country, but local educators told us they wanted exactly this kind of local, hands-on professional development (PD).

What we’re asking of you:

We’re keeping this group small on purpose (21 teachers) so everyone gets real support and the resources we produce are genuinely good. That means we need full participation from everyone. Here’s what that looks like: 

Participant Expectations:

• Adhere to the EarthScope Code of Conduct
• Attend the entire workshop – 9 am Monday, June 29 through 12 pm Wednesday, July 1.
• Attend at least one of two post-workshop check-ins: one will be held in fall (required) and the other held in winter (optional). These are virtual, and genuinely useful for sharing how classroom implementation is going.
• Work to revise 2 classroom activities.
• Teach revised activities and submit classroom-tested second drafts.
• Complete post-workshop surveys.

What you get in addition to PD hours:

• Stipends up to $1600 – participants who complete all workshop commitments (see above) and submit classroom-tested revised resources are eligible for stipends up to $1600.
• Hotel & Per Diem – hotel accommodations for the workshop (Monday and Tuesday night), mileage reimbursement up to $100, and daily per diem are provided (Monday and Tuesday), no out-of-pocket costs for travel.
• Deep, Genuine Professional Development – Expert-led PD in geophysical content and data literacy, with direct mentorship from EarthScope education professionals who are excited to work with teachers just like you!
• Classroom-ready Resources – You know these will work because you’ve gained deep background knowledge and helped to tailor them.

We are accepting only the first 60 applications.

For Questions: 

Contact DeeDee Okamoto (deedee.okamoto@earthscope.org)