Bolstering science education in southern California, the UC San Diego Science Project works with schools and local partner institutions to spark students' curiosity for science. To learn about their work, we spoke with Alec Barron, EdD, Director of the UC San Diego Science Project. Read the interview below, then check out their fantastic learning resources on LabXchange!

What does your organization do?

The UC San Diego Science Project serves both San Diego and Imperial Counties in California and is a partnership between UC San Diego and the San Diego County Office of Education. We partner with school districts to adopt student-centered and engaging instructional materials and implement professional learning plans for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

With large populations of English Language Learners in our region (23% in San Diego County and nearly 40% in Imperial County), all our projects target support for language and literacy-based practices in science. Through strategic partnerships with researchers at institutions like Scripps Institution of Oceanography, we translate science research into curriculum resources and professional learning experiences that address persistent achievement gaps while building teacher leadership capacity.

What's one fun fact that LabXchange users should know about your organization?

One of our former students coined the term "nerdy delight," which has become a guiding principle for our work. This concept is about opening ourselves up to all the joys we experience when encountering new discoveries or overcoming challenges. You'll find this philosophy embedded throughout our curriculum resources, professional learning model, and even our organizational culture—we believe science education should inspire this sense of "nerdy delight" in both teachers and students!

What motivates you to work in science education?

I'm motivated by the opportunity to inspire curiosity and wonder about our natural world. When not working with scientists and science educators, I can be found on trails exploring phenomena of our natural world—it reminds me that we're not disconnected from the systems of our wonderful planet. I'm particularly passionate about empowering students to use data for collective action in their communities, especially around issues like climate change. Seeing teachers and students experience that "nerdy delight" when making new discoveries drives everything we do.

Additionally, I am motivated by the opportunity to address the "science opportunity gap" that disproportionately affects students of color and English learners in our region. Recent assessment data reveals persistent achievement gaps. By connecting teachers directly with researchers and building sustainable support structures, we can ensure all students have access to high-quality science learning experiences.

Which UC San Diego Science Project content are you most proud of?

I'm particularly proud of two initiatives:

1. Listening to Waves: Our collaboration with UC San Diego music neuroscientist Dr. Victor Minces has generated an innovative 8th-grade Science of Sound and Music unit that engages students with the sonic world. This project has reached over 200 teachers through professional development workshops and has been implemented in classrooms serving thousands of students nationwide. going to school more than in other days. Both teachers and students report our activities to be tremendously engaging and impactful, increasing teachers enjoyment on teaching physics, and children's enjoyment of learning physics, willing to pursue STEM paths, and even going to school. The publication page on our program website shares many of these findings related to this work.

2. Climate Champions: This program is a model of our partnership with Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), Birch Aquarium, and the SoCal Heat Hub. Working collaboratively with Dr. Nan Renner, who serves as an incredible champion for climate education at Birch Aquarium, we've developed a two-pronged approach:

• Our Climate Champions Design Summits bring together 40 teachers each summer for immersive learning experiences where educators engage with climate phenomena, learn the Understanding Global Change framework and modeling practices, and develop classroom implementation plans. These summits have resulted in teacher and researcher co-designed curriculum resources, such as the Cooler Communities unit, which is now adopted by San Diego Unified School District.
• The Teacher/Researcher Collaborative connects classroom educators directly with climate scientists throughout the academic year. During monthly sessions, researchers present current studies while teachers practice using the Understanding Global Change modeling practices and develop curriculum activities that translate complex climate science into accessible classroom experiences for students. This model ensures teachers maintain access to cutting-edge research while building their capacity to address one of today's most pressing educational needs.

How can learners and educators best use your content?

Our content is designed to begin with phenomena that promote curiosity—whether it's observing a child breaking a glass with his voice or analyzing a puzzling data set. These observations promote dialogue and sense-making. We recommend educators use our materials to establish shared goals with students and create opportunities for collaborative exploration. Our resources are particularly effective when integrated into units that encourage students to make connections across disciplines and apply scientific principles to real-world challenges in their communities.

What does the UC San Diego Science Project have planned for the future?

We're focusing on expanding our Climate Champions initiative to reach more teachers and create more opportunities for students to engage in using data to address climate challenges in their communities. We're also developing new partnerships between researchers and teachers to create engaging curriculum resources that promote greater access to STEM careers. Additionally, we are working to expand our work developing and spreading the Student-Centered Assessment Toolkit.

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Explore more of the UC San Diego Science Project's learning resources on LabXchange:

• The Science of Sound and Music (pathway)
• How Are the Lips Creating Different Pitch Sounds From a Trumpet? (teaching guide)
• How Do Members of the Deaf Community Enjoy Music? (teaching guide)