The Inland Area Science Project (IASP) is a division of the California Science Project. The IASP invitational Summer Institute began during the summer of 1990 at UCR. Summer Institutes are held at the UCR Extension Center. The IASP is designed to improve the quality of science instruction at the elementary and secondary levels through an interdisciplinary, thematic, and conceptual approach to the teaching of science. The project provides strategies for achieving a major impact on science instruction, particularly in school districts in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Teachers who participate in the project develop skills in implementing the California Science Content Standards, create lessons that are multidisciplinary and multisensory, and are introduced to alternative methods for assessing science. All of the participants developed presentations of techniques or methods for teaching science at the kindergarten through 8th grade level. Some of these presentations are shared with other educators during the bi-annual Kaleidoscope Conference. During the school year, follow-ups include continued training in content and methodology. At the conclusion of each Summer Institute, the teachers may become paid teacher/leaders during the school year. Educators trained by IASP institutes offer workshops to teachers throughout the region. The Inland Area Science Project- Teacher Retention Initiative (IASP-TRI) provides professional development to middle school teachers in two partner districts, Moreno Valley Unified School District and Rialto Unified School District. The IASP-TRI is a four year project with a focus on retaining middle school science teachers through development of teachers' content knowledge and the building of professional learning communities.