Bridge to Science Careers Curriculum
The Bridge to Science Careers is a stand-alone curriculum designed to successfully transition adult learners into higher education and training in career fields related to the sciences, including pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, and health careers. The eight content modules are grounded in foundational science concepts, introducing experimental design and the scientific method, dimensional analysis and measurement conversion, classification of matter, and chemical reactions. The modules include comprehensive learning scaffolds to support learners across a range of reading skill levels, with support for English learners. Each module includes learner goal setting to support study skills and time management, a pre-reading activity to activate background knowledge, vocabulary building activities to strengthen reading comprehension, virtual demonstrations and practice with embedded mathematical concepts, and a culminating lab activity during which learners apply their developing scientific skills and knowledge.
The flexible curriculum design includes virtual options for lab activities and detailed instructional guidance on facilitating the course content in virtual, hybrid, and in-person settings. Following evidence-based adult learning principles, with flexible delivery options and plentiful instructional scaffolds, the Bridge to Science Careers is designed to expand access to training opportunities for learner groups that are traditionally underrepresented in science-based careers.
- Access a printable version of the Instructor Guide and a printable Student Bridge Workbook.
- The full Instructor Guide can also be found here as a virtual option.
Building Bridge Programs
Watch this video (17:03) to learn more about the VALRC’s process for building bridge programming for adult learners, using this Science Careers Bridge program as a model. A transcript of the video can be found here.
Template for integrating instruction. In the video, starting at 2:35, we discuss a one-page template that we use at the VALRC to design instruction for bridge programs that integrates multiple content strands (e.g., academic skills, digital skills, workplace readiness skills, and occupational skills) through authentic tasks that support learners’ progress in their career goals. The specific template shown here was developed for a summer bridge to careers and postsecondary education course for DARS. Access the template here.
This bridge curriculum was developed by the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center at VCU with funding through Brightpoint Community College, 2024.