Enhancing Science Education in Alaskan School System with Discovery Education
Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) has recently unveiled an exciting partnership with Discovery Education, a global leader in educational technology. This collaboration aims to revolutionize science education across the district and provide students and teachers with cutting-edge digital resources to enhance learning experiences.
Located approximately 35 miles north of Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District serves nearly 20,000 students across 49 schools in one of Alaska’s fastest-growing communities. With a mission to prepare all students for success in various post-graduation paths, including the military, technical training, college, or career, the district is committed to excellence in teaching and learning.
Empowering Teachers and Students
In a bid to deliver a dynamic curriculum that leverages innovative tools to improve instruction and student outcomes, the district identified the need to update its science curriculum for students in grades 6-12. Seeking an engaging, hands-on, standards-based approach, MSBSD selected two key services from Discovery Education to support this initiative.
The first service, Discovery Education Experience, connects educators to a vast collection of high-quality, standards-aligned content, digital lessons, quiz and activity creation tools, and professional learning resources. This engaging platform facilitates instruction across all subjects and environments, aligning with state and national standards to bring real-world relevance to the classroom.
Driving Engagement with Science Techbooks
The second service, Discovery Education Science Techbooks, offers a comprehensive, research-backed science solution for grades K-12. Aligned with state standards and featuring virtual and hands-on investigations, STEM activities, and instructional supports, the Science Techbooks aim to enhance blended instruction and promote three-dimensional learning experiences for students.
Recently certified as meeting the rigorous ESSA Tier III standards, the Science Techbooks have demonstrated positive academic outcomes for educators and students in districts across the United States. Coupled with Discovery Education’s Science Techbook, the district will also integrate Mystery Science, an award-winning, standards-aligned science curriculum for grades K-5, already in use in its elementary schools.
A Personal Touch
As a former student in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, I vividly recall the challenges of engaging with traditional science textbooks. The introduction of Discovery Education’s innovative resources would undoubtedly have transformed my learning experience and sparked a greater interest in the subject.
By embracing these digital tools, students today have the opportunity to explore scientific phenomena through interactive content, hands-on activities, and real-world applications, paving the way for a more immersive and impactful educational journey. As the district forges ahead with this partnership, the future of science education in Alaska looks brighter than ever.
