The Eureka Series program brings California’s educators and scientists together to meet the need for exciting, challenging, and relevant professional development. Our institutes integrate experimental design, hands-on classroom activities, and field exploration in regional, state, and national parks, while incorporating the Science Content Standards for California. Our institutes are practical for teachers and districts to implement, allowing thousands of students to experience the thrill of doing real science. Teachers receive in depth training and new materials that can be transferred directly into the classroom or into the field with the help of our Student Transportation Grants.

Through the Coast Alive! Institutes, teachers explore earth and life sciences while investigating their local watershed and connecting this to the big picture of California. Participants design and carry out scientific experiments on-site at magnificent California State Parks along the Southern and Central California coastline.

The newer Sierra Nevada Institutes take the watershed concept to its source in the magnificent Sierra Nevada mountains. From journaling in the field to conducting a stewardship project, teachers become familiar with this mountain range, its importance to the entire state, and how to incorporate their new knowledge into their classroom curricula.

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