The goals of the Orchid Project are to:

• Increase science content knowledge and enthusiasm
• Enhance pedagogical skills
• Provide a common focus for K-12 curricular planning.

    The Orchid Project is a collaboration between the Los Angeles Systemic Initiative (LA-SI), the University of Southern California Center For Craniofacial Molecular Biology, the Venice/Westchester Cluster of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and the USC California Science Project Leadership Cohort. The purpose of the collaboration is to develop a cluster-wide K-12 articulation of science learning using the Biological Sciences as a thematic thread.

    The Venice/Westchester Cluster serves approximately 17,500 students in grades kindergarten through twelfth in the communities of Venice and Westchester. There are approximately 950 teachers. The cluster has two high schools, 2 continuation high schools, three middle schools, 18 elementary schools, one K-12 school and four children centers. Twelve of the schools are participating in the LEARN Reform plan, and all the schools in the Cluster are on the LEARN calendar. The schools are organized into two complexes that are diverse both ethnically and economically.
 
 

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