Upcoming Events

Our 2026 Summer Institute will be held in late July and will focus on the Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes and LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, & Dynamics. More information on registration will come in Spring 2026.

Welcome to the South Coast Science Project

The South Coast Science Project (SCSP) provides professional development for elementary teachers in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and surrounding counties. Due to the wide area that we serve our program is divided into two subprograms to support the needs of regional teachers and districts. The two professional development opportunities we offer are Summer Institutes and SciTrek.  Although teachers can participate in either of the subprograms, the programs are coherently designed to meet the goals of SCSP and the California Subject Matter Project.

The main goal of this website is to provide an archive of the main lesson plans and materials we present at our Summer Institutes. The website will archive at least one full lesson per grade level TK-6th for Life, Earth, and Physical Science, as well as Engineering. For additional lesson ideas, materials, pedagogy, NGSS implantation tips, and resources, we encourage teachers to attend our Summer Institutes. 

 

Summer Institutes

Each year SCSP hosts a week-long Summer Institute open at a local elementary school in Santa Barbara which is open to any interested TK-6th grade teacher. The goals of the Institute are to strengthen teachers’ understanding of science content and pedagogy. During the Institute, teachers engage in NGSS aligned three-dimensional activities that can be taken back to their classroom and used with their students. After completion of the Institute, lesson sequences are posted on our website for any teacher to use. The content of the Institute is on a 6-year rotation cycle and includes the following subjects: physics, chemistry and engineering, earth science, environmental science, life science (molecules, organisms, and ecosystems), and life science (evolution and heredity).

Another key goal of the Summer Institute is to build teacher leaders. This is done by recruiting teachers that have attended at least one Summer Institute to join our teacher leadership team. This leadership team designs, tests, and presents the activities that are used for the Summer Institute.

Summer Institute Testimonials:

"A fantastic opportunity to collaborate with quality science leaders and peers. The entire experience provided great content, was well paced, and provided ample time for hands-on learning and collaboration! I am leaving with a new toolbox of websites, content, guidance and a community to depend on once we begin this new school year." -2025

"The SCSP Environmental Science Institute provides valuable instruction that uses rigorous evidence based resources. Students are challenged and encouraged through the lessons that increase their knowledge and critical thinking skills." -2025

Explore the rest of this website to obtain information about past and future Summer Institutes, as well as lesson plans, teacher leader information, announcements, and more. 

SciTrek 

SciTrek is an outreach program run out of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at UCSB that focuses on allowing 2nd- 12th grade students to participate in authentic science experiences by designing, carrying out, and presenting scientific findings on a common phenomenon called modules. SciTrek brings highly-trained UCSB undergraduate and graduate students into the classroom to assist in these modules and interact with the younger students as positive role models in science. In addition, SciTrek provides an apprenticeship model of PD to teacher in the program. This allows the teacher to engage in communities of practice to learn the three-dimension teaching practices needed to support students in the classroom. Teacher then apply these skills in their classroom with a SciTrek coach to provide support and guidance. For more information on the program, how to get involved, and to get on the mailing list visit the SciTrek website.

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