New Mexico’s Carlsbad Municipal Schools (CMS) announced today it is expanding its partnership with Discovery Education for 3 more years to support a new K-12 STEM strategy set for implementation in 10 district schools. With Discovery Education’s combination of award-winning digital resources and STEM-focused professional learning, educators in participating CMS schools will soon be creating dynamic learning experiences that improve academic achievement and prepare students for success beyond the classroom.
“We are excited to partner with Discovery Education to support STEM Education in the Carlsbad Municipal Schools, as it is an important part of our comprehensive strategic plan for increasing student engagement as we introduce our scholars to the many careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics,” said Superintendent of Carlsbad Municipal Schools Dr. Greg Rodriguez. “This is not just another initiative in Carlsbad, but rather a partnership to build capacity, improve student engagement, and ultimately, prepare students for success beyond their time as a student at the Carlsbad Municipal Schools.”
The Carlsbad Municipal Schools are located in the Permian/Delaware Basin, which is the second largest oil field in the world behind Saudi Arabia’s Ghawar field. By empowering students and teachers with Discovery Education STEM resources, district leaders are creating a vibrant culture of STEM teaching and learning within the school system that will help students build the communication, critical thinking, creative, and collaboration skills they need for success in either the local or global economies.
For a number of years, CMS’ educators have used Discovery Education Streaming, the award-winning comprehensive digital service supplementing instruction across all K-12 curricular areas, to create dynamic digital learning environments. However, thanks to the deepening of the district’s partnership with Discovery Education, district classrooms will soon begin integrating STEM Connect into classroom activities.
Discovery Education’s STEM Connect enhances core curriculum and brings STEM to life in classrooms. A cutting-edge, web-based, interdisciplinary K-8 supplemental resource built on a 4Cs STEM skills framework, STEM Connect helps students develop the creative, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills they need for success beyond graduation. Featuring flexible, modular learning units, STEM Connect provides students an easy-to-follow educational experience that includes real-world challenges, career connections, and hands-on activities.
In addition to STEM Connect, CMS will soon launch the STEM Leader Corp capacity building model. Both district administrators and teachers will participate in STEM Leader Corps’ professional learning opportunities, which support the adoption of new strategies and best practices for building and sustaining a culture of STEM in their schools and guide them as they master new STEM instructional approaches. With a focus on developing high-quality STEM instruction, creating interdisciplinary lessons and units, and vertically aligning STEM education district-wide, this initiative provides the robust professional development, job-embedded coaching, and administrative leadership support necessary to create centers of STEM excellence. In addition, STEM Leader Corp will also help CMS’s educators integrate Discovery Education’s digital content services deeper into classroom instruction.
Educators at CMS will also be supported by the Discovery Education Community as they transform students’ learning experiences with dynamic digital media. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Community connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable networking, idea sharing and inspiration.
“The Discovery Education team is honored to be partnering with Superintendent Rodriguez and the entire Carlsbad team on this important undertaking,” said Discovery Education Director of Education Partnerships Phillip Mikula. “We look forward to working closely with the district’s dedicated educators to build an exciting STEM learning environment across the district.”
For more information about Discovery Education’s digital content, professional development, and other services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Facebook, follow us on Twitter at @DiscoveryEd, or find us on Instagram and Pinterest.
