Students
Project FOCUS
Fostering Our Community's Understanding of Science
Project FOCUS is a partnership between the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at the University of Georgia and the Athens-Clarke County School District. The main thrust of this program is to partner UGA students with elementary teachers to assist in the teaching of science in grades K-5. Contact David Berle (dberle@uga.edu) for more information.
Course Description: 
Project FOCUS places college students with a science background in the local elementary schools to improve science awareness among K-5 school children. Students are not required to have teaching experience or expected to be perfect teachers. This is not a teacher training course...its a service learning course where students provide a much-needed service and learn a little about themselves in the process. Students work a minimum of three hours each week in the classroom with a partner teacher. Much of this time is spent teaching science, but can also include helping with other topics that may precede or follow the science lesson. Previous FOCUS students have assisted with social studies, math, and language arts during their visits, but the majority of the time is spent with science. In addition, students will help plan lessons or hands-on activities, will meet with other students in the program for one hour a week, and write a weekly reflective essay.The course responsibilities typically take approximately 8-9 hours per week.
Philosophy and Goals:
The FOCUS program aims to improve the science education of elementary students in the Athens area. Educational research supports the notion that children who are exposed to hands-on, minds-on science are better able to make sense out of the content. FOCUS students are expected to bring their science background into the elementary classroom through well-designed hands-on sciences activities for their students. The FOCUS partner will work closely with the classroom teacher in planning and designing activities that are relevant to the state-mandated science curriculum for that grade.
Specific goals for the program include:
- Improving the science experiences and science content knowledge of elementary students in the UGA area through relevant and hands-on science instruction
- Increasing awareness among elementary students about career opportunities related to the sciences
- Providing experiences to students and teachers that will bring about more positive attitudes about science
- Improving the content knowledge and confidence of local elementary teachers to bring about sustained, positive changes in how they approach science
- Developing a sense of community involvement for UGA students that will continue after graduation
- Promoting science in a positive way to the elementary students and teachers who work with the UGA students
- Enhancing the communication and leadership skills of UGA students
Course Credit:
Students involved in FOCUS should first fill out an application form (available below). Once accepted into the program, students should then enroll in to AESC 4920/6920 Project FOCUS: Service Learning for 3 credits under David Berle.