Programs & Services

At the heart of CRS’s work is an understanding that teachers are individuals, with differing levels of professional experience and varied needs.  Our suite of programs and services is carefully developed to offer an array of customized support that weaves a powerful web of resources that, together, gives more kids more opportunities to learn about our world through science.

Teacher Membership Services

Your materials, resources, and background knowledge are superior to what I have available, so the children have benefited in a way that would not be possible with only me as their teacher."

--3^rd Grade Teacher, Oakland Unified School District

It began with teachers asking for help finding the information and resources they needed in order to plan a lesson, field trip, or for their own professional growth.  There’s plenty of information on the internet – but finding the right information specific to an individual teacher’s needs can take a lot of searching and sifting.  We’ve done the work for teachers, by compiling and maintaining an up-to-date database of a complete range of science resources.  Everything from lab materials and lesson plans, from websites for kids and teachers to places to go for out-of-classroom learning experience, from teacher grants to professional development and more – and it’s available and searchable online on our website anytime.

To make it even easier, CRS provides individual teachers with customized reports so they don’t need to search at all. Simply send a request (via the website, email, fax or phone call) and CRS will do the rest and promptly deliver a customized report to a teacher’s email inbox.  A new third grade teacher searching for weather related websites for kids, a kindergarten teacher searching for an in-class presentation about butterfly habitats, and an experienced 5^th grade teacher looking for a summer professional development workshop about marine biology – CRS will find and send just the information they need, saving them tons of search time and making it more likely they’ll find the experience or materials they need.

To make it easier still, CRS sends teachers a monthly email bulletin, e-NewsBlast, with the latest information about upcoming museum exhibits, field trip deadlines, new grant opportunities, and more.  And, three times a year CRS compiles and mails (as well as posts online) a comprehensive resource guide covering a range of programs, workshops, grant opportunities, and other resources.  Teachers have at their fingertips information about the wealth of science resources, what’s new, and where they can turn for information or experiences they need.

And, to keep things fun, CRS also hosts two “field trips for teachers” each school year in partnership with local science institutions.  Teachers have a chance to network and share ideas, to receive free books and other resources, and to get up-close and personal visits to a variety of excellent science organizations.  Recent events have been held at the Marine Science Institute, Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, California Academy of Sciences, Chabot Space and Science Museum, the Oakland Zoo, and more! We thank our wonderful science partners for making these free experiences possible for teachers. 

BASIS Scientist Volunteer Program

 Teachers told CRS “We need ‘ologists’ – not talking heads, but people who would come and DO science with our students.”  In response, CRS has developed one of the largest in-class scientist volunteer programs in the country. Each year we work with hundreds of scientists, preparing them to present successful, engaging, inquiry-based science lessons that are linked to appropriate state standards for each grade.  Thousands of kids get to experience hands-on learning to gain a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. And, our diverse and enthusiastic scientists serve as role models – inspiring students to consider themselves as future scientists! Students see that scientists can be women and people of various ethnic and economic backgrounds. Students hear first-hand about how the things they are learning in school relate to the “real world”.  And, most of all, students see that science is cool!

Key to the success of the BASIS (Bay Area Scientists in Schools) program is the careful preparation CRS provides for scientists, and the flexible scheduling model which allows scientists to designate specific dates and times during the year that they are available. Some scientists volunteer an hour or two each month, while others commit to a half day of two or three lessons a couple times a year, and others might prefer one full day of lessons once per year.  Generally, CRS scientist volunteers work together in teams – it’s more fun, and it provides students with more role models and more individual attention!

Resource Development

CRS has become my lifeline to the people and organizations that promote hands-on science teaching and learning in elementary school.  It keeps me learning and connected.  Many thanks!"

--4th/5th Grade Teacher, West Contra Costa Unified School District 

In order to address identified gaps between available resources and teacher needs, CRS works with a range of science-related organizations in the community. Our goal is to build strong partnerships between schools and the wealth of science resources in our community. 

One way we do this work is through our Advisory Council, which brings together thought leaders from many different areas of academia, school districts and classrooms, museums, funders, and others, to discuss and find ways to address challenges and opportunities for improving science learning experiences for teachers and students.

CRS also works with schools, districts, and organizations on specific projects ranging from curriculum development, professional development, workshops, and more.