Programs & Clubs
Liberal Studies Student Association
To learn more about LSSA, click here
Student California Teachers Association (SCTA) Club
To learn more about SCTA, click here
Liberal Studies In the Community
Field Experiences | CESAME programs | Grants
The following is a partial list of Liberal Studies in the community. Please contact our office for more detailed information.
Liberal Studies Field Experiences
LS 230/250 Early Field Experience
Cal Poly's motto is "Learn by Doing," and that philosophy certainly extends beyond the classroom. LS 230 and 250 "Field Experience in the Elementary Classroom" (2 units) are courses that will aid you in your career decisions. Students will be placed in a local school, observing the classroom. And looking at all the factors that contribute to effective teaching and learning. Each requires a minimum of 24 hours of volunteer work per quarter. LS 230 course is a prerequisite for students who want to transfer into Liberal Studies.
CESAME Programs
The University Center for Excellence in STEM Education (CESAME) was created to improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, teacher education and professional development, and the workforce pipeline in California. As a university-wide endeavor, CESAME is responsible for several cross-disciplinary campus initiatives that impact STEM education and teacher development programs across the state. CESAME cultivates collaborations among students, staff and faculty from across campus and nurtures partnerships with preschool through high school (P-12) teachers, community college faculty, as well as business, industry, government, and foundations in order to achieve its goals.
There are several excellent programs for ALL Junior/Senior Liberal Studies major to select. You do not need a concentration in STEM to be able to participate in these programs. Remember that any experience that places you in the classroom or with children will help you in your path to becoming a teacher.
Teaching Assistants in Math and Science (TEAMS)
TeAMS assistants tutor or assist Math, Science, or AVID teachers in local middle school or high school classrooms. Assistants are paid and receive course credit. All students following a science or mathematics concentration should apply to get a taste of teaching in middle school as a possible career path. Associated Course: SCM 220. Offered Fall, Winter and Spring.
Mentors out of School Time (MOST)
MOST mentors teach pre-developed, STEM-focused modules to students in an after-school program at local schools. Mentors are paid and receive course credit. Offered Fall, Winter, and Spring. Associated Course: SCM 220. Offered Fall, Winter, and Spring
Learn by Doing Lab (LBDL)
LBDL facilitators engage visiting 5th-8th-grade students in hands-on science and engineering labs on campus. Course credit only. Offered Winter and Spring. Learn more about LBDL.
Liberal Studies Grant Programs
By participating in several grant programs, the Liberal Studies Department provides our students the opportunity to participate in educational reform programs as well as targeted projects at area elementary schools. Our current programs include:
Central Coast Science Project (CCSP) 1998 - date
The Central Coast Science Project is part of a statewide network for Professional Learning and Leadership Development for California Educators. Our focus is to provide the infrastructure for science professional development across the State. The regional site is housed in the Liberal Studies and Chemistry departments at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The CCSP is part of the larger network of science network known as the California Science Project administered by the University of California, Office of the President. Visit CSP at https://csmp.ucop.edu/csp . The CCSP collaborates with science faculty, educators, schools and districts to provide effective and high-quality science instruction, with a special focus on the needs of English learners, students in poverty, and students with low literacy. While our funding is focused towards the professional development of teachers, Liberal Studies students can participate in our yearly conference: Super STEM Saturday, summer institutes, STEM Nights or use our Science Kits for Teaching library. Learn more about the CCSP borrowing library. Funding: $50,000/year. PI S Bush, co-directors: L Berber-Jimenez, and N Stauch CCSP coordinator: Jenny Bush;jybush@calpoly.edu
