The Teachers + Occidental = Partnership in Science (TOPS) program consists of a number of science outreach programs planned and directed by a steering committee of K-12 educators and Occidental College faculty members. TOPS' long range goal is to increase interest in science among K-12 students by:

• providing secondary students and educators access to advanced scientific instrumentation for hands-on laboratory experiences in biology, chemistry, and physics. These programs are aligned with the State of California Department of Education Science Content Standards.

• introducing research as a curriculum component in K -12 courses through the technology-based BioWeb program. BioWeb is aligned with State of California Department of Education Science Content Standards. Focus is placed on the "Investigation and Experimentation" science content standards.

• increasing access to and use of the World Wide Web in science and other K-12 content courses (e.g. social studies, language arts, and mathematics).

• increasing science educators' self-perception as professionals and scientists

• improving the teaching of laboratory concepts

• supporting science educators' efforts to improve instruction at their local schools

        The TOPS Science Outreach Programs at Occidental College have a long term record of significant contributions to the teaching of science in local K-12 schools.  Since 1992, TOPS has established a reputation for outstanding support for teachers as they introduce advanced scientific instrumentation into their classrooms. Approximately 60% of the teachers who have attended one of the TOPS Summer Institutes continue to participate in the program

     Our highly successful Biology and Chemistry Summer Institutes provide training and access to modern laboratory equipment to support a series of thirteen laboratory experiments appropriate to high school science courses (Life Science, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, AP and Honors courses).  

     Initiated in 2001, the Physics Summer Institute follows the format of the Biology and Chemistry programs, providing training and access to equipment for five different topics (mechanics, wave motion, optics, electrostatics, and circuits) with activities appropriate for all levels of high school physics.

          The newest TOPS program, BioWeb, is designed to provide the support and hardware necessary to access web-based scientific curricula in the classroom.  BioWeb brings a set of portable computers into the classroom to provide access to the World Wide Web and a dedicated BioWeb website supporting a variety of topics in the K-12 curriculum.