Students and teachers in grades K-8 across Maryland’s Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) will return to their classrooms this Fall to find new resources in their high-tech pencil cases thanks to a deepened collaboration with worldwide edtech leader Discovery Education. In the latest phase of this more than 20-year partnership, Discovery Education will provide district elementary and middle school students exciting new digital science textbooks that will help them explore their curiosity about the natural world. In addition, Discovery Education will provide teachers with stimulating professional learning experiences that will help create engaging lessons that prepare students for success beyond the classroom.
PGCPS is one of the nation's 20th largest school districts and has 198 schools and centers, more than 131,000 students, and nearly 20,000 employees. The school system serves a diverse student population from urban, suburban, and rural communities located in the Washington, DC suburbs. PGCPS is nationally recognized for college and career-readiness programs that provide all learners with unique learning opportunities, including dual enrollment and language immersion.
PGCPS seeks to provide all PreK-12 students equitable access to exemplary teachers, science curriculum programming, instructional practices, and standards-based assessments that are reflective of research and best practices. To support this effort, the district’s science curriculum team sought a digital K-8 science resource aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and supportive of improved student achievement and heightened career and college readiness. Following a thorough review of available digital resources, PGCPS selected the Discovery Education Science Techbooks for use in elementary and middle school classrooms.
The Discovery Education Science Techbook series is a comprehensive, research-backed science solution for grades K-12. Used in classrooms across the United States, the Science Techbooks drive engagement with exclusive phenomena and interactive content.
Virtual and hands-on investigations, STEM activities, and a variety of instructional supports enhance the delivery of impactful, blended instruction, in person or at a distance. Available with the Science Techbooks are coordinated digital and print teacher guides offering unit, concept, and lesson overviews, standards connections, and differentiation activities to inform instructional planning and guide three-dimensional learning. Teacher editions also provide flexible pacing options, embedded teacher notes, and pathways for understanding that support diverse learners.
Discovery Education’s Science Techbook will be used alongside Discovery Education’s award-winning K-12 learning platform, which is currently accessible to teachers and students districtwide. Connecting educators to a vast collection of high-quality, standards-aligned content, ready-to-use digital lessons, intuitive quiz and activity creation tools, and professional learning resources, Discovery Education’s K-12 platform facilitates engaging, daily instruction in any learning environment.
“Science is an essential tool for solving the greatest problems of our time and understanding the world around us, and ensuring every child receives a rich education in science should be a national priority. In Prince George’s County Public Schools we have made providing all our students an outstanding science education a priority and we are elevating the discipline by offering all learners engaging opportunities to explore their inherent curiosity about the natural world as they learn to think critically, solve real-world problems, and build pertinent skills that prepare them for an exciting future,” said Dr. Godfrey Rangasammy, PGCPS’s K-12 Science Supervisor. “Discovery Education’s Science Techbook has been proven to meet this mission in classrooms nationwide, and we are excited to begin to integrate it into teaching and learning in our elementary and middle school classrooms.”
In addition to digital resources, all PGCPS educators using Discovery Education services will receive dedicated professional development from Discovery Education’s team of professional learning experts. These learning opportunities for teachers help school systems recognize the full return on their edtech investment. Through these interactive professional development sessions, participants will learn best practices for integrating their new digital resources into instruction. Effective professional development maximizes the power of these resources, increases student engagement in learning, and supports the continued academic development of all students.
Also, all PGCPS educators enjoy access to the Discovery Education Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Education Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration.
“Discovery Education is excited to launch this new phase of collaboration with our long-time partners in Prince George’s County Public Schools,” said Coni Rechner, Discovery Education’s Senior Vice President of State & Strategic Partnership. “In addition to creating a compelling science curriculum supporting the success of the youngest learners, the district is showing tremendous leadership by using our services to support efforts to engage K-8 students in STEM and career exploration. Prince George’s County Public Schools is creating a model that I believe will be replicated nationwide, and we are proud to support their efforts.”
For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources—which can be purchased with federal stimulus funds—and professional learning services, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place. Through its award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools, Discovery Education helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Inspired by the global media company Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Discovery Education partners with districts, states, and trusted organizations to empower teachers with leading edtech solutions that support the success of all learners. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.
