K-2 Science Curriculum Proven Educationally Effective
Ft Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) October 04, 2013 -- The K-2 digital science curriculum, Science4Us, has recently been proven to significantly increase student achievement. In a field study performed by McREL, an independent authoritative academic research group, students engaged in Science4Us significantly outperformed those students receiving “business as usual” science instruction.
In the spring of 2013, Science4Us contracted Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) to perform an academic review, including field testing, of a section of the 5E-based science curriculum for kindergarten, first, and second grades.
Researchers from McREL gave high marks to Science4Us regarding the educational effectiveness and quality of the instructional strategies embedded in the curriculum. Notably, McREL highlighted the inquiry-based nature of the curriculum, the multiple opportunities for formative assessment and the fidelity of the digital adaptation of the 5E model, stating “(Science4Us) is comprised of many learning opportunities which follow the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) 5E Instructional model.”
“It was important to us to get independent verification that our curriculum works,” said Perri Robinson of Science4Us. “While we had two years of field testing during development, the gold standard is a verification of efficacy by a recognized authority in science education. We’re delighted by McREL’s findings.”
Researchers found the content and activities to be appropriate for K-2 students stating, “It provides a foundational understanding that is needed as students progress through their learning.” Not only did researchers find the content and activities engaging for K-2 students, they also measured student achievement. Students receiving Science4Us significantly outperformed those students engaged in science instruction as usual. Researchers also noted the inquiry opportunities included in Science4Us are supportive of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) approach to inquiry-based learning.
Teachers using the Science4Us curriculum felt it provided a new and unique way of presenting science content. One teacher commented, “I really enjoyed using it and was surprised at how easy it was to use and how much the kids learned.” One hundred percent of teachers implementing the Science4Us module felt it was effective in communicating target science knowledge and skills while stimulating student interest. Additionally, all teachers implementing the Science4Us module felt that it encouraged active student involvement while providing clear and effective help when needed.
More information about the study and methodology are available at http://www.science4us.com/efficacy-study-elementary-science/.
Background:
About Science4Us - Science4Us.com is being developed by same company that developed the very popular VocabularySpellingCity, a game-based supplementary educational service. The company is dedicated to using technology to improve education focusing on today’s significant educational challenges. In 2013, Science4Us won a Dept of Education research grant to optimize educational games for early elementary science education. Science4Us is available for schools, teachers, and parents.
For more information, info(at)Science4Us(dot)com or contact Perri Robinson 954 626-3117.
About McREL - McREL is a Denver-based, nationally recognized, private, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving education for all students through applied research, product development, and service. In addition to its Denver headquarters, McREL has offices in Honolulu, Hawai’i and Melbourne, Australia.
For more information, visit http://www.mcrel.org.
Contact: Roger Fiedler 303.632.5579
About the BSCS 5E Instructional Model - The Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS) research-based, 5E Instructional model is a framework designed to help students build conceptual understanding as they participate in a structured sequence of activities. The sequence or “Es” of the 5E model are engage, explore, explain, elaborate and evaluate.
Bybee, R., Taylor, J. A., Gardner, A., Van Scotter, P., Carlson, J., Westbrook, A., Landes, N. (2006). The BSCS 5E Instructional Model: Origins and Effectiveness. Colorado Springs, CO: BSCS.
Perri Robinson, Science4Us.com, http://www.Science4Us.com, 954-626-3117, [email protected]
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