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Iowa School Districts Choose STEMscopes K-12 Digital Science Curriculum to Help Teachers and Students Effectively Transition to New Science StandardsUpon launching the four-year Iowa Science Standards Implementation Plan in 2015, the Iowa Department of Education said that the state's new vision for science education "represents substantial changes in how teachers engage in the practices of science teaching." To help teachers and students transition to the new standards, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Central DeWitt Community School Districts have become the first in the state to implement the STEMscopes™ Iowa comprehensive online science curriculum from Accelerate Learning. "We reviewed many different science resources, including textbooks. We liked STEMscopes' ease of use, the rigor and depth of the curriculum, and the embedded support for teachers," said Christine Mangrich, coordinator of instructional services for Cedar Falls, which will begin implementing STEMscopes in every elementary school this school year. STEMscopes Iowa is built from the ground up to meet the Iowa Science Standards, which are based on the performance expectations outlined in the Next Generation Science Standards. STEMscopes provides digital resources, supplemental print materials, and hands-on exploration kits that build student engagement and excitement for learning. In addition, strong vertical alignment allows teachers to develop student expectations across grade levels with parallel lesson design. "Each STEMscopes unit is developed around the 5E model of instruction. This will help teachers create learning experiences that will help students think like scientists and develop a deep understanding of the new standards," said Mangrich. "Teachers can choose from a variety of learning resources based on the needs of their students, and it's all in one place. We've never had a common science curriculum in our elementary schools that's as comprehensive as STEMscopes or that provides this level of support for teachers." 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. STEMscopes can be used as a core science curriculum or as a supplementary or enrichment resource in traditional, blended, and 1:1 classroom environments. For more information, visit http://acceleratelearning.com or call toll-free 800-531-0864. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170911005135/en/ |
