Resources for Teachers
Develop and enhance your teaching methods and techniques through our Professional Development Programs. Discovery Science Center offers free workshops for teachers, free educational events and great lesson plans through our Teacher Education Network.
These programs were created with YOU in mind, and they adhere to California Science Content Standards.
Teacher Education Network
TEN is a free program for Southern California teachers that provides online resources for teachers including programs, lesson plans and more!
This program includes a dedicated website where members can log in to access programs, lesson plans, point accruals and an online community just for teachers. Sign up for free today!
Educators’ Newsletter
Join our e-mail list to receive the last information about professional development programs, field trips, lesson plans, Discovery Science Center events and more!
As a member of our community of teachers, you can expect to receive 2-3 e-mails per month regarding educational programs, professional development opportunities and resources, special offers, and event invitations.
Free Educators’ Workshops
Join us on first Monday of every month (October to May) as we host a free Educators’ Workshop from 4pm to 6pm.
Each educational event includes a hands-on science workshop including standard-based concepts and exploratory visits to the Center’s exhibits related to those topics.
Each workshop will address a variety of concepts and their applications across all grade levels with added emphasis on avoiding misconceptions. Call 714-263-3825 for more information or to register.
February 4, 2013: This program featuring A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle, combines science, math, and literature, including hands-on activities that increase the students’ understanding of the classification of animals and the marine ecosystem.
March 4, 2013: The storybook, Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh, is incorporated into the interactive, science-based lessons on color recognition, color mixing, and color separation, along with information about how organisms’ characteristics are inherited from the parents and influenced by the environment.
April 8, 2013: (held at the Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 East Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana) The storybook Slowly, Slowly, Slowly, Said the Sloth by Eric Carle, will introduce many of the animals at the Santa Ana Zoo. Interactive lessons on animal adaptations and design (CA Science Content Standards for K-3 grades) will also be featured.
May 6, 2013: NASA’s Toys in Space 2 with guest instructor Sandra Kaszynski of JPL/NASA. The educational video Toys in Space 2 shows astronauts on the space shuttle and students on Earth co-investigating the behavior of toys in space and the influence of gravity on different types of toys.
TEAMS
Presented By: 
TEAMS (Teacher Education Advancement in Math and Science) workshops are free standards-based, sponsored, professional development programs for K – 3rd grade teachers that use a storybook as a focus to introduce and develop science, math, and language art concepts.
At each TEAMS workshop, teachers will receive $60 worth of classroom materials, along with lesson plans and a hands-on workshop from 4pm – 6pm. A light dinner is also provided.
Call 714-263-3825 to reserve a spot. Space in this FREE program is limited, so please only enroll if you plan to attend.
TEAMS Workshop Schedule
January 16, 2013: This program, Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, combines science, math and literature. Students have the opportunity to make scientific observations of worms, increasing their understanding of worm morphology and behavior. Hands-on activities with a variety of objects advance the students’ math computation and estimation skills.
January 31, 2013: Resources and the 3 R’s (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle) sponsored by OC Waste and Recycling. Discover how to make the best use of our Eco Challenge exhibit, divert waste, and make the best decisions to ensure a healthy home, community and planet. Hands-on activities will increase the students’ understanding of the 3 R’s including how to make crafts by repurposing various materials. [Note: this workshop is identical to the March 19 workshop.]
February 21, 2013: This program, Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens, combines science, math, and literature. Hands-on activities increase the students’ understanding of the parts and functions of the parts of plants while strengthening science-thinking skills, such as observing, comparing, and contrasting.
March 19, 2013: Resources and the 3 R’s (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle) sponsored by OC Waste and Recycling. Discover how to make the best use of our Eco Challenge exhibit, divert waste, and make the best decisions to ensure a healthy home, community and planet. Hands-on activities will increase the students’ understanding of the 3 R’s including how to make crafts by repurposing various materials. [Note: this workshop is identical to the Jan 31 workshop.]
April 25, 2013: (held at the Santa Ana Zoo, 1801 East Chestnut Ave, Santa Ana) This program, Click, Clack, Moo, Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin, combines science, math, and literature and feature barnyard animals at the Santa Ana Zoo. Hands-on activities will increase the students’ understanding of the body coverings of and products from barnyard animals. In addition to strengthening science-thinking skills through lessons incorporating observing, comparing, and contrasting, activities will reinforce math concepts.
May 15, 2013: This program, How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long, will include interactive, science and math-based activities involving sailboats, observing the movement of objects in the sky, and finding buried treasure.
Science Lesson Plans
Our lesson plans are developed to be a convenient resource for teachers to easily and effectively teach science in their classrooms. Lesson plans are grade-specific and align with California Science Content Standards.
View Lesson Plans >
Free Educators’ Evening of Science
Join us as we showcase our education programs and resources and enjoy food and drinks while experiencing the Science Center at this exclusive after-hours event! Keep an eye on your e-mail for details about our next event.
