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Phase I: Staff Development Workshop

This is a one-week professional development program to familiarize teachers with the concepts, equipment, procedure, and curriculum integration of a series of labs. Recognizing the need for interdisciplinary materials at the high school level, TOPS developed these labs to extend or replace labs typically done in high school, but with a biochemistry emphasis and a technological approach. Requirements: High school teacher in the relevant department. Fee: $990.

Phase II: Van Visits - Co-Facilitated Laboratory Activities

Recognizing that a one-week workshop is insufficient to build confidence with new equipment and an obligation to maintain the equipment for continued use by all TOPS participants, the TOPS program provides mentored access to technological equipment with van visits. These visits will enable the trained teacher to carry out three of the TOPS labs with their students, with the assistance of an experienced high school resource teacher. Requirements: Completion of Phase I. Must be located at a school within 25 miles of Occidental College. Fee: $1300.

Phase III: Lending Kits

After the first year of mentored participation, the TOPS program makes a lending kit available, which provides the specialized equipment and chemicals for each of the labs. Up to five of these kits may be scheduled per year, supplied for up to five classes. These are scheduled with the TOPS staff, delivered to the classroom, and remain for approximately one week for student use. The TOPS resource teacher remains available for assistance and consultation but is not in the classroom on a regular basis. Requirements: Completion of Phases I and II. Yearly subscription fee: $700.