Welcome to the CalTeach Learning Laboratory!
The CalTeach program at UC Merced runs the only University of California laboratory devoted to K12 STEM Outreach! Our innovative outreach program offers field trips to K12 students on-campus at UC Merced in a fully stocked scientific laboratory! We are leaders in hands-on STEM outreach and serve a minimum of 4,000 K12 students in a single academic year!
When are field trips offered? Field trips run September - April on Tuesdays and Thursdays from roughly 9:30am - 12:15pm. Field trips include one to two STEM activities and a campus tour.
How many students does the Learning Lab accommodate in a single field trip? The CalTeach Learning Lab can accommodate up to 72 students per field trip. Groups with more than 72 students will still need to submit a reservation request, and a CalTeach Staff member will discuss field trip options with you.
Who can attend a field trip? The CalTeach Learning Lab is open to all K12 students within driving distance of UC Merced. Teachers, schools, districts, and home-schooling groups can reserve a field trip in the lab.
What activities will my students get to experience? All activities in the CalTeach Learning Laboratory are developed by CalTeach staff using NGSS and Common Core Standards. Two hands-on lessons are designed per grade level each year. All activities are built to introduce students to exciting STEM concepts that are not commonly brought into the classroom.
Who teaches the lessons in the CalTeach Learning Lab? CalTeach runs an innovative Pre-service Teacher Training Program designed to give UC Merced undergraduates hands-on experience teaching K12 students, curriculum development, and pedagogical training. All field trips are led by our CalTeach undergraduate pre-service teachers in training and experienced staff members at UC Merced.
Click Here to Look Inside Our Lab!
How to Reserve Your Visit to the Learning Lab
*The CalTeach Learning Lab is officially booked for the 2024-2025 academic year!!! Use the link below to sign up for our email list and be the first to know when reservation requests open for the upcoming year!
STEP 1: Click here to sign up for our 2025 - 2026 email distribution list. You will be notified when reservation requests open in early August for 25-26 AY openings. Field trips are booked on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to demand, the lab books for the entire academic year in under two weeks. We HIGHLY recommend submitting your reservation request within two days of the form opening. Requests for 2025-2026 field trips in the CalTeach Learning Lab will begin in early August 2025.
STEP 2: Once your request is received, you will receive a follow-up email from our Director of K12 Education and Outreach, Mariah Gonsalez at mgonsalez2@ucmerced.edu, with details/questions about your visit to the lab.
STEP 3: You will receive a reservation confirmation and appropriate waivers/documents will be sent out to the main coordinator of the visiting K-12 student group to fill out.
Already Booked Your Field Trip?
Click here to review our Field Trip Packet!
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