San Francisco Regional Community

STEP UP is a national community of physics teachers, researchers, and professional societies. We design high school physics lessons to empower teachers to inspire students to pursue physics in college.

Goal: STEP UP 2026-27 Advocates cohort will join a growing, regional community to implementing STEP UP curriculum in their classrooms to inspire all students to pursue physics. Selected teachers will join a cohort of nearly 200 teachers from four specific regions centered around San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City. See eligibility details below. 

The application will open January 2026

Eligibility: 

  • Teach at least one section of physics during the 2026-27 academic year

  • Able to attend the in-person Advocate Summit at CSU East Bay in June 2026

  • Willing to provide feedback about your and your students’ experiences with the STEP UP lessons 

  • Teach in one of the counties below during the 2026-27 academic year

Teachers in these counties associated with the San Francisco Bay Area may apply. Note: Participants will be required to travel to an in-person summit in June 2026 at CSU East Bay, indicated by the star on the map above

The STEP UP program will accept up to 60 teachers from each region, and each Advocate will earn a $900 stipend. The STEP UP program staff will train Advocates on the STEP UP curriculum at an in-person regional STEP UP Summit (See below for date/time) in the summer of 2026.

Advocates earn their stipend by:

    • Time of year Advocate Program Task 

      April 2026

      		 Welcome to the Cohort 1 Advocate Program for 2026-27
      June 2026

      Attend a one-day in-person training on the STEP UP curriculum (summer 2026)

      • San Francisco Summit: Saturday, June 27, from TBD pm PT at CSU East Bay
      September - October 2026

      Administer pre-surveys for students
      September 2026 - March 2027

      Use the STEP UP Careers in Physics & Women in Physics lessons with your students

      Attend monthly Professional Learning Community meetings (virtual and/or in person) to learn about the  Everyday Actions Guide

      Utilize the Everyday Actions Guide in your classroom

      Attend optional in-person and virtual community events in your region
      April 2027

      Complete Advocate post-survey; Administer student post-survey
      May - June 2027

      Receive stipend for your time and dedication

    Clip from our Summer 2024 New York Regional Summit