With classrooms closed, scientists take over virtual STEM lessons in LA Unified

Excerpt: Field trips and hands-on lessons are an integral part of K-12 science instruction — at least they should be in normal times. But they have virtually disappeared this school year as a result of students learning from home.

Now, as California is experiencing another coronavirus surge and distance learning continues for by far the majority of students, scientists and museum guides are trying to fill the gap and are taking to Zoom to meet students at home.

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One successful strategy that a handful of school districts are taking has been to pull in outside experts to teach topics ranging from aeronautical engineering to agricultural science. Sometimes individual teachers will invite experts to virtually visit their students, while other districts like Oakland Unified are taking broader approaches to help coordinate visits for teachers who express interest.

In Los Angeles Unified, California’s largest school district, district officials launched a pilot project this summer that brought educators from science museums throughout Southern California to offer students virtual after-school enrichment activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM.

Read the full article here: https://edsource.org/2020/with-classrooms-closed-scientists-take-over-virtual-stem-lessons-in-la-unified/644253