The Externship Program, a part of the Life Sciences Summer Institute (LSSI), was developed to help increase awareness of the local life sciences industries (biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, and related areas) to those individuals who are most influential in the development of our future workforce, teachers.

The 12-day program is held every summer and is managed by the San Diego Workforce Partnership  The program has been graciously hosted at Biogen-Idec's state-of-the-art Community Lab.  This facility is closing and the site for 2012 will be moved.

From 2006-2010, the LSSI Program was graciously hosted at Biogen-Idec's state-of-the-art Community Lab. Due to the closure of the Biogen-Idec San Diego site, the 2011 LSSI Program was hosted by world-renowned TSRI. LSSI 2012 will be held at another location in San Diego County.

• What are the key features of the program?
• Who is eligible?
• Which schools & districts have participated?
• Why should you participate?
• How can you apply?

What are the key features of the program?

• Curriculum Training (Standards-Based): High school and community college teachers are trained on the AMGEN-Bruce Wallace Biotechnology Laboratory Program at a laboratory in San Diego County.

• Externships: Teachers visit a variety of industry sites or half-day 'externships' to view both hard skills and soft skills in practice. Exposure to working professionals allows teachers the opportunity to explore educational outcomes in the workplace.

• Ongoing Support for Curriculum Implementation: Teachers who have no equipment or follow-on support receive free supplies, loaner equipment, and staff support to implement the curriculum.

• Continuing Education Credits: Credits for teachers are available for qualified applicants through CSU San Marcos Extended Learning.

Who is eligible?

Participants will be evaluated for eligibility in the LSSI Externship Program based on the following criteria:

• teaching lab-based courses in the biological, chemical, or physical sciences at a public or private high school or community college within San Diego County

• show interest in continuing professional development as a classroom teacher

• be able to commit to 40 hrs/wk for the duration of the program

• be able to provide their own transportation to the laboratory each day of the program

Which schools and districts have participated in the program?

Currently, more than 155 teachers in 58 schools from 20 districts participate in the LSSI program.

• Click here for a current list of schools and districts that are a part of the LSSI program.

• Click here for a list of former participants in the LSSI program.

• Click here for a sample LSSI program schedule.

• Click here to view the 2012 LSSI Program Flyer.

Why participate?

Educators have always been entrusted with the task of preparing young people to become active and productive members of society. In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, however, educators face the new challenge of preparing students for jobs and careers that do not yet exist.

No matter how up-to-date are the techniques and equipment used in the classroom, these techniques and equipment are likely to be outdated by the time students enter the workforce. An educator's job, therefore, is not only to prepare students with the basic skills they will need to tackle whatever jobs might come their way in the next decade, but also to inspire them to pursue careers in science, especially in the ever-growing field of life sciences.

How do I Apply?

Current program dates are pending for Summer 2012. Click on program schedule above to see 2010's summer program.

Click here for an application packet.

For more information, email the San Diego Workforce Partnership.