Discovery Education announced today a new collaboration with Tennessee’s Oak Ridge Schools to create digital learning environments in classrooms district-wide. Through a six-year partnership, Discovery Education will support Oak Ridge Schools’ plan to implement a 1:1 learning initiative with digital content and customized professional development.
The district’s goal is to become a leader in STEM education through continuation and expansion of Oak Ridge’s educational opportunities for students along with additional enhancements to technology infrastructure, professional development and access to devices.
As part of this new collaboration, all K-12 classrooms will have access to Discovery Education Streaming Plus. The program features more than 155,000 dynamic digital learning objects that support all subject areas and learning styles, including videos, skill builders, games, audio files, images, writing prompts and encyclopedia articles. It also includes hundreds of model lessons and instructional exemplars.
In addition, Oak Ridge students in grades K-8 will use the Discovery Education Science Techbook™ and middle school students will use the Discovery Education Social Studies Techbook™. The series offers individualized resources and digital assets, including virtual labs, video clips, an interactive glossary, and more.
Oak Ridge Schools is also providing its educators customized professional development from Discovery Education experts who will guide them through the process of integrating Streaming Plus and Techbooks into classroom instruction. 50 teachers will join a STEM cohort that will receive 10 days of customized professional development and coaching from Discovery Education each year.
“Oak Ridge Schools’ goal is to become the premier STEM school district in the country, and this new collaboration with Discovery Education will help us meet this goal,” said Dr. Bruce Borchers, superintendent, Oak Ridge Schools. “We are looking forward to working with Discovery Education’s expert team to create the authentic digital learning environments that will provide students the critical skills they will need to be successful not only in STEM, but in any field of their choosing.”
This initiative commences at a STEM Leadership Retreat for Oak Ridge educators, administrators and community members scheduled for later this month. During this retreat, the Oak Ridge School Board, superintendent and senior staff, teachers and local STEM leaders will examine STEM data for their region, experience STEM teaching and learning, and begin to create the STEM definition and vision for their district.
In addition, the Discovery Educator Network (DEN) will support Oak Ridge Schools’ educators in their efforts. A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events.
“Discovery Education is proud to be a part of Oak Ridge Schools’ STEM and digital transition initiatives,” said Rob Warren, regional director, Discovery Education. “The efforts of Dr. Borchers and his team illustrate the school system’s deep commitment to preparing their students for college, careers and citizenship, and we look forward to working with them to support the success of each learner.”
