Observation as a Superpower: Free, Hands-On PD for K–12 Teachers

The invite you to:

Step away from the daily rush and rediscover the joy of looking closely.

Join fellow K–12 educators for a free, immersive professional development workshop centered on one of science’s most fundamental practices: observation. This interactive event features an exclusive screening of OBSERVER—our new documentary that follows scientists, artists, and other curious minds as they explore and interpret the world around them.

After the film, you’ll dive into creative, hands-on activities inspired by the film. Using simple everyday tools, you’ll practice the same observational strategies you can bring back to your students—encouraging deeper thinking, inquiry, and curiosity in your classroom.

Whether you teach elementary, middle or high school science, this day is designed to spark new ideas, build community, and reignite your love for discovery.

Claudia Scharff, a veteran San Francisco USD teacher and professional development facilitator, and team members from the Science Communication Lab.

• New creative ideas for your lesson plans on observation and other science-related activities.
• A local community of K-12 teachers who could be your future mentors, mentees, and/or colleagues.
• Free resources and tools to inspire critical thinking and innovation in your classroom!

Come experience how a shift in perspective can open up a universe of learning possibilities—for you and your students!

Check out the trailer below for the film we'll be screening 👇

has served for 11 years as a teacher on special assignment for SFUSD, supporting all elementary school teachers in science. She was a Spanish bilingual science resource teacher and a third through fifth grade teacher at Alvarado for eight years. She co-lead a 4th and 5th grade girls science club with UCSF scientists and the support of the Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP) for three years and taught City Science to third grade teachers. Claudia was a coordinator at SEP for five years and particularly enjoyed working with teachers and scientists to address the needs of English Language Learners through science, as well as working with high school interns placed in UCSF science labs. She thinks that hands-on science and engineering investigations make the best springboard for developing language and math. There is no better way to get an otherwise shy child to talk, or an otherwise active child to focus, than to observe how a snail behaves when faced with an obstacle, or what happens when you squeeze lemons into red cabbage juice, or discover how to build a circuit with two lights! In her free time, Claudia likes to play in the water and the mountains, and with her two children.

We are Berkeley-based non-profit dedicated to creating award-winning science films that bring real scientists' stories, research, and passion to the classroom.

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