HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After successfully using the STEMscopes California digital STEM curriculum at the middle school level last school year, Greenfield Union School District, a rural district in southern Monterey County, will now expand its implementation to all schools in grades K–8. Developed by Accelerate Learning™ and Rice University, STEMscopes California is built from the ground up to address the rigorous Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for California.
“We reviewed several programs that claimed to be NGSS-aligned, but STEMscopes was the only one that was actually built to meet the NGSS and rooted in the 5E model of inquiry,” said Shelley M. Duttarer, district science coach for Greenfield. “With STEMscopes, our middle school students have developed a stronger understanding of STEM concepts, and their learning is more inquiry-based and collaborative. This collaboration is particularly beneficial for our students who are English language learners. STEMscopes has made it easier for our teachers to facilitate and our district to support the early implementation of the NGSS.”
As part of a Teacher Quality Partnership grant, Greenfield is also partnering with CSU Monterey Bay (CSUMB) to help teachers develop the skills and knowledge to meet the demands of the NGSS and Common Core State Standards. The grant, which is provided by the U.S. Department of Education, allows the university to work with high-need school districts to strengthen teacher preparation programs, ensuring that teachers have the skills to improve student achievement.
“The College of Education at CSUMB is working closely with teachers in Greenfield Union School District to support their efforts to successfully implement the STEMscopes curriculum. We believe Greenfield Union is taking the necessary steps to enhance student learning and achievement in STEM,” said Dr. Mark O’Shea, a professor of education at CSUMB.
STEMscopes California provides teacher and student digital resources, supplemental print materials, and hands-on exploration kits that build student engagement and excitement for learning. It places problem-based learning, engineering challenges, scientific investigations, math and literacy connections, and culminating claim-evidence-reasoning assessments at teachers’ fingertips so they can easily help students understand the NGSS as they were designed. STEMscopes is also available in Spanish for grades K–5.
“Our top priority in Greenfield Union School District is to enhance the quality of our students’ education by increasing learning opportunities in the areas of science, technology, math and the arts to better prepare our students for post-secondary educational and career opportunities,” said Dr. Kimberly Berman, superintendent. “STEMscopes in our elementary and middle schools is exactly the type of high quality instruction that will help us reach this goal.”
About Accelerate Learning
Founded at Rice University, Accelerate Learning has grown from a single product, STEMscopes, to a brand that now offers a variety of curriculum and professional development solutions that support early learning, Next Generation Science Standards, and state-aligned curriculum.
Accelerate Learning has earned recognition as one of District Administration’s Top 100 Products, and from numerous industry programs, including the Digital Innovation and Learning Awards, the Association of American Publishers’ Revere Awards, and EdTech Digest’s Cool Tool Awards.
For more information, visit http://acceleratelearning.com or call toll-free 800-531-0864.
