Program Managers (generally retired science teachers) go into a school a few times a week to deliver training to students focused on: learning basic laboratory skills, providing services to teachers, safety, and building a good work ethic. The students receive elective course credit and a grade. The Program Managers receive a stipend for their services as trainers and consultants.

Program evaluations show CLSP has met its goals. Teachers have increased the use of their laboratories with many reporting that they now teach as many as twice the number of labs as they did prior to the implementation of CLSP.

CLSP recently produced a curriculum funded by the California Science Project. The nine units are used by the Program Manager in training the laboratory assistants throughout the school year. Descriptions of the units and the units themselves can be found on this webpage.

With the goal of implementing this proven program statewide, the California Science Project is piloting this program and the curriculum this year at four of its regional sites: Central Coast, Central Valley, Sacramento Area, and UCLA. If you are interested in participating in the program, please contact the site directly by clicking on its name for contact information.

CLSP students can help your science teachers in the following ways:

• Prepare solutions and other supplies needed for experiments and demonstrations
• Organize and deliver laboratory materials for use in the classroom
• Perform clean up duties after laboratory activities, including washing glassware, disposing of left-over materials, and returning supplies and equipment to proper storage
• Assist in maintaining safe and orderly work areas
• Set up and maintain live materials
• Assist students in laboratory exercises
• Tutor students in laboratory related skills, including measurement and the use of the laboratory equipment.

CLSP Program Managers can help your science teachers in the following ways:

• Organize and facilitate the program at the school
• Schedule the CLSP students and coordinate their activities
• Instruct the CLSP students in laboratory skills and procedures
• Instruct the CLSP students in laboratory safety
• Instruct the students in equipment repair and maintenance

Quotes from past CLSP participants

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