Spencer-Owen Community Schools Enhances Science Instruction For K-6 Students Through Technology

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Charlotte, NC (Tuesday, October 17, 2023)—Educators in grades K-6 across Indiana’s Spencer-Owen Community Schools (S-OCS) are enhancing students’ science instruction through a new collaboration with worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education. Thanks to a new phase of the district’s multiyear partnership with Discovery Education, students and teachers in the district’s K-2 classrooms now have access to the company’s award-winning Mystery Science product. In addition, educators and students in grades 3-6 are now using Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for teaching and learning.

Located in West-Central Indiana, S-OCS’s approximately 175 professionals deliver to the more than 2,200 students they serve a viable curriculum preparing them for success at each level of their lives. As part of the school system’s regular curriculum review cycle, S-OCS staff sought new science resources with a proven record of success in other school districts, a significant hands-on component, that were easy for educators and students to use, and that were aligned to Indiana Academic Standards.

Following an extensive evaluation of viable solutions, SOCS selected Discovery Education’s Mystery Science for use in the district’s K-2 classrooms.

Mystery Science provides K-5 educators simple-to-use, open-and-go, hands-on lessons that inspire students to love science. Each lesson begins by posing a question commonly asked by young students. Students then explore these questions through interactive videos featuring real-world visuals fostering a sense of wonder and actively supporting student engagement in the accompanying discussion prompts. Mystery Science simplifies prep for teachers, making the integration of this resource into classroom instruction simple. Plus, all K-5 science lessons are now available in Spanish, with accompanying videos featuring authentic Spanish narration and Spanish text-on-screen (for discussion questions, vocabulary words, and step-by-step instructions). Editable, ready-to-use worksheets and assessments are also available in both English and Spanish.

In addition, S-OCS selected Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for classroom use in grades 3-6. The Discovery Education Science Techbook series is a comprehensive, research-backed science solution for grades K-12. Used in classrooms across the United States, the Science Techbooks for elementary students drives engagement with exclusive, interactive digital content and companion printed resources. The virtual and hands-on investigations, STEM activities, and instructional supports within Techbook enhance the delivery of impactful, blended instruction, in person or at a distance. Available with the Science Techbooks are coordinated teacher guides offering unit, concept, and lesson overviews, standards connections, and differentiation activities that inform instructional planning and guide three-dimensional learning. Teacher editions also provide flexible pacing options, embedded teacher notes, and pathways for learning that support diverse learners. The Discovery Education Science Techbook is already in use in the district’s grade 7 and 8 classrooms.

“We are excited to broaden our relationship with Discovery Education to enhance science instruction in grades K-6,” said Betsy Breedlove, S-OCS’s Instructional Technology Coordinator. “These resources improve our teachers’ ability to ignite younger students’ curiosity and focus it on learning about the world around them.”

In addition to digital resources, all S-OCS educators using Discovery Education solutions will receive dedicated professional development from Discovery Education’s team of professional learning experts. These learning opportunities for teachers help school systems recognize the full return on their edtech investment. Through these interactive professional development sessions, participants will learn best practices for integrating their new digital resources into instruction. Effective professional development increases student engagement in learning and supports the continued academic development of all students.

All educators using Discovery Education’s digital resource have access to the Discovery Education Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration.

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.