A brand new school opening in the 2020-2021 school year, FCPS’s Rise STEM Academy will support young women as they explore science, technology, engineering, and math during their formative years so that each student may more eagerly embrace STEM career pathways. JCPS’s Grace James Academy of Excellence is dedicated to empowering, activating, and illuminating academic excellence in every girl through an Afrocentric and gender-specific STEAM curriculum.

While in different school systems, both schools sought a complete STEM/STEAM solution that combined sustained professional learning and high-quality digital resources in a way that would nurture and develop a culture of STEM teaching and learning.  In addition, each school wanted a solution that presented a holistic, research-based approach to STEM/STEAM that offered participating educators a strong support structure.  Following a rigorous review, both schools selected Discovery Education’s comprehensive STEM program and Teacher Leader Collaborative (TLC) professional development support.  In FCPS’s RISE Academy, educators in grades K-2 will participate in the TLC, and in JCPS’s Grace James Academy of Excellence, educators in grade 6 will utilize the TLC.

A system to scale professional learning and leadership, Discovery Education’s Teacher Leader Collaborative combines robust STEM professional learning opportunities, job-embedded instructional support for teachers, and Discovery Education’s exclusive STEM Instructional Progression to drive instructional growth. Teacher Leader Collaborative’s professional learning resources prepare educators to implement a problem-driven approach to learning supported by high-quality, standards-based STEM digital and cross-curricular resources, including Discovery Education STEM Connect, Discovery Education Experience and Science Techbook.  STEM Connect is a web-based, interdisciplinary K-8 supplemental STEM resource and Experience is Discovery Education’s flexible K-12 digital learning platform.  Built on the 5E model, Science Techbook is a digital science textbook that provides exciting multimedia, virtual activities and hands-on labs with model lessons, STEM project starters, and standard-aligned assessments teachers need to immerse students in science in any teaching environment.

“At a school devoted to STEM, developing an atmosphere that prizes communication, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking is of paramount importance,” said Dr. Soraya Matthews, Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovative Programs, Fayette County Public Schools.  “Our new partnership with Discovery Education and the introduction of the Teacher Leader Collaborative into the Rise Academy will play a central role in helping create the environment for learning we know is conducive for STEM instruction.”

“The Grace James Academy of Excellence sees its partnership with Discovery Education as foundational,” said Ronda Cosby, Principal of the Grace James Academy.  “The resources within the Teacher Leader Collaborative will open a new world of opportunities for our students and teachers, and create a space where girls can see hope for the future in STEAM careers.”

In addition, educators participating in the Teacher Leader Collaborative from both schools will have access to 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.

“The entire team at Discovery Education is excited to support the educators and students at   RISE Academy and Grace James Academy of Excellence on the incredible journey they are undertaking,” said Dr. Catherine Lawless, Discovery Education’s Manager of Education Partnerships. “The unique combination of digital resources and professional learning included in the Teacher Leader Collaborative will help educators introduce the young women in those two schools to wonderful world of STEM and STEAM education.”

For more information about FCPS’s RISE Academy visit this website, and for more information on JCPS’s Grace James Academy of Excellence, visit this website.

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

Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-aligned digital curriculum resources, engaging content, and professional learning for K-12 classrooms. Through its award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia resources, and the largest professional learning network of its kind, Discovery Education is transforming teaching and learning, creating immersive STEM experiences, and improving academic achievement around the globe. Discovery Education currently serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 140 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Discovery, Inc., Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and like-minded organizations to empower teachers with customized solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contact:

Discovery Education
Stephen Wakefield
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com
Phone: (202) 316-6615

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