TERC Education Programs
Through our education and outreach programs, the goal is to provide science-based information about the Lake Tahoe region to foster responsible action and stewardship.
We provide engaging exhibits, interactive hands-on education activities, and conduct effective outreach to draw student groups, residents, and visitors to our facilities. Our education programs inspire an interest in environmental science, stimulate curiosity, and motivate active conservation and preservation of freshwater resources.
Education and Outreach Programs
Public Programs
Tahoe Science Center
Tahoe Science Center and Green Building Tours are offered year-round. Green Building tours are by appointment only. We are closed on observed holidays. Check the Tahoe Science Center webpage for more details.
Monthly Lecture Series
The UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center (TERC) Monthly lecture Series provides a forum for community members to hear from scientific experts. Speakers include authorities on various environmental issues, scientific research, regional subjects, and topics of general interest.
Citizen Science
Citizen Science is a stewardship program aimed at monitoring water quality, algae growth, litter, and more. This is something anyone can do at any beach in Tahoe. Just use the free Citizen Science Tahoe app at http://CitizenScienceTahoe.com.
Garden Workshops
UC Davis TERC partners with Lake Tahoe Master Gardeners, the Truckee Community Garden, and the North Tahoe Demonstration Garden to bring family-friendly garden workshops that will encourage people to build beautiful and sustainable gardens that enhance the environment and foster an interest in citizen science.
K-12 Programs
Student Field Trips
UC Davis provides students with an opportunity to learn about science at Lake Tahoe with the following thematic programs: Water on Earth, Ecology, Tahoe Food Web, Landforms, Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics, and Lakes of the World. Activities align with state science curriculum.
Trout in the Classroom
Selected classrooms participate in the Trout in the Classroom program each year. Along with partner organizations, UC Davis TERC provides training and support for participating teachers.
Science Expo
The annual Science Expo event is designed to increase student excitement and interest in science through interactive, hands-on activities, games, and demonstrations. Science Expo takes place in April in South Lake Tahoe and in May in North Lake Tahoe. The event is aimed toward third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students from the greater Lake Tahoe and Truckee Region.
Teacher Programs
Workshops for Educators
Project WET, Project Learning Tree, Project WILD Workshops are held each year for teachers and informal educators in the region. Hosted in collaboration with other partners such as the US Forest Service and Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships.
Summer "Tahoe Teacher Institute"
We partner with various school districts to host a summer Tahoe Teacher Institute focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education.
Volunteer Docent Program
Summer Sessions at Lake Tahoe (June)
The volunteer docent training program is currently offered once a year in the spring. The training program consists of three to four sessions. Docents can also join the program by meeting with our staff, reading the Docent Manual, and shadowing tours until they are comfortable hosting tours.