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. Counties not included in the map, but able to apply*: San Joaquin, Solano, Sacramento, Monterrey

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

      *Must 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