- Unique Combination of Discovery Education’s Digital Resources and Professional Learning Services to Bolster STEAM/STEM Education in New STEAM-Focused High School and Classrooms Districtwide -
Silver Spring, Md. (August 2, 2018) – New York’s Mt. Vernon City School District (MVCSD) today began a new three year partnership with Discovery Education, the leading provider of digital content and professional development for K-12 classrooms. MVCSD’s new collaboration with Discovery Education strengthens the district’s efforts to bring high quality STEM/STEAM learning experiences to students both in the district’s new Mt. Vernon STEAM Academy and classrooms districtwide.
Under the leadership of Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton, the Mount Vernon City School district is transforming their educational structure through the district’s bond referendum and the 20/20 Academic Vision strategic plan, which is guiding improvements to all MVCSD schools. Last year, MVCSD school leaders began planning out the curriculum for the new Mt. Vernon STEAM Academy.
Supported by Discovery Education’s STEM/STEAM experts, the MVCSD team created a new curriculum focused on engaging students in interdisciplinary, standards-based, thematic real-world learning. To power the Mt. Vernon STEAM Academy’s new curriculum and to extend engaging STEM/STEAM learning opportunities to students across the district, MVCSD selected Discovery Education’s unique mix of award-winning digital services and professional learning services.
When the Mt. Vernon STEAM Academy opens in September 2018, educators will be empowered to create dynamic digital learning environments with Discovery Education’s digital textbooks. These resources, called Techbooks, include Discovery Education’s Math Techbook, which connects students to math through real-world problems, helping all learners develop long-lasting mastery of mathematical concepts, and the Science Techbook, which is built on the 5E model that helps teach students to read, write, and think like scientists through hands-on labs, digital explorations, an interactive glossary, and data analysis activities.
Mt. Vernon STEAM Academy teachers will also begin integrating Discovery Education Streaming Plus, a comprehensive digital service supplementing instruction across all K-12 curricular areas, into classroom instruction. Discovery Education Streaming Plus helps build students’ mastery in interpreting, understanding, and evaluating information. Students can access a variety of digital assets such as images, primary source documents, podcasts, articles, and videos, then are empowered to become content creators with a suite of content creation tools that help teachers and students safely and easily collaborate in real-time on virtual projects. Teacher resources include lesson plans, instructional strategies, and content collections organized around themes, as well as a collection of STEM/STEAM resources designed to fuel a cultural shift in teaching and learning.
Educators at the Mt. Vernon STEAM Academy will also be using Discovery Education’s STEM Connect to enhance core curriculum and bring STEM/STEAM 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.
To support the Mt. Vernon STEAM Academy’s educators transform their classroom practice to meet the needs of their students, MVCSD’s leadership team has arranged for STEAM Academy teachers to participate in a STEM-focused professional learning and capacity building program, . This comprehensive, three year-system, fosters a culture of STEM/STEAM at individual school sites and guides educators as they master STEM/STEAM instructional strategies and helps them reinvent teaching and learning with an innovative approach.
“Stakeholders across the Mt. Vernon City School District strongly believe that engaging students in relevant learning experiences connected to the real-world prepares them to develop both a passion and readiness for the next phase in their education and future career,” said Dr. Jeff Gorman, Deputy Superintendent, Mt. Vernon City School District. “Discovery Education shares our perspective on this topic, and has supported our team in developing our vision for STEAM education across the district. We look forward to now putting this vision into practice, and to scaling out outstanding STEM/STEAM learning experiences across the district.”
To support efforts to bring engaging STEM/STEAM learning opportunities to students in all district classrooms, MVCSD has obtained Discovery Education Streaming Plus and STEM Connect licenses for all 16 school buildings. In addition, educators from across the district will participate in Discovery Education’s STEM Foundations professional learning system, so that they too can create powerful STEM/STEAM learning environments that nurture student learning as they learn the important communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills they will need for future success.
Throughout this partnership, Mount Vernon City School educators will be supported by the Discovery Education Community. 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.
“Discovery Education is excited to work side-by-side with MVCSD’s teachers and administrators as they pursue their goal of creating a center of STEM/STEAM excellence in New York State,” said Discovery Education Partnership Manager Sara Peters. “Discovery Education’s digital content and professional learning services, coupled with the passion of the Mt. Vernon educators, creates a potent force advancing STEM/STEAM education in the Empire State.”
For more information about Discovery Education’s digital resources and professional learning 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.
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About Discovery Education
As the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12 classrooms worldwide, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content, professional learning, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Serving 4.5 million educators and over 50 million students, Discovery Education’s services are available in approximately half of U.S. classrooms, 50 percent of all primary schools in the UK, and more than 50 countries around the globe. Inspired by the global media company Discovery Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that increase academic achievement. Explore the future of education at DiscoveryEducation.com.
