PESD92 Enhances Science Education with EdTech

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K-5 educators across Arizona’s Pendergast Elementary School District (PESD92) are enhancing science instruction thanks to a new collaboration with edtech leader Discovery Education. In this latest phase of PESD92’s multiyear partnership with Discovery Education, students and teachers in K-5 classrooms districtwide now have access to the company’s award-winning Mystery Science product. PESD92 covers 20 square miles and serves the communities of Phoenix, Glendale, and Avondale, providing educational opportunities for approximately 8,300 preschool through eighth grade students on 12 campuses.

PESD92 sought engaging digital resources that would empower students to explore, problem-solve, design, and innovate in a safe, caring environment. Following an extensive evaluation of viable solutions, PESD92 selected Discovery Education’s Mystery Science for use in the district’s K-5 classrooms.

Mystery Science provides K-5 educators 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 that actively support student engagement in the accompanying discussion prompts. Mystery Science simplifies prep for teachers, making the integration of this resource into classroom instruction easy. 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 worksheets and assessments are also available in both English and Spanish.

Mystery Science joins a suite of Discovery Education services already in use across the district. Among the Discovery Education resources used by PESD92 teachers and students is Discovery Education Experience, a curated collection of grade-level appropriate, digital content aligned to Arizona’s rigorous K-12 Academic Standards that is made available to public schools statewide by Arizona’s Department of Education.

PESD92 educators also use Discovery Education’s Social Studies Techbook to create engaging learning experiences focused on the Social Studies. A standards-aligned, core-curricular resource, Social Studies Techbook uses an inquiry-based approach to enhance literacy and critical thinking skills, allowing students to approach topics in the Social Studies through the 5Es: Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate.

Finally, PESD92 uses DreamBox Math by Discovery Education to foster the conceptual understanding, self-assurance, and motivation students need to develop a deep understanding of complex mathematical ideas. A web-based program for students in grades K-8, Dreambox Math adapts and differentiates in real-time based on students’ answers and problem-solving methods.

“We are excited to deepen our collaboration with Discovery Education to enhance science instruction in our K-5 classrooms,” said Dr. Catherine Linddhardt, PESD92’s STEAM and Technology Integration Specialist. “Discovery Education’s classroom-tested resources will increase our teachers’ ability to ignite younger students’ curiosity and drive deeper engagement in instruction.”

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.