Charlotte, NC (Wednesday, May 31, 2023) – Minnesota’s (GFW) today announced a new partnership with 51̽ supporting the creation of engaging science lessons in K-12 classrooms districtwide. In this new multi-year collaboration, educators in every GFW school will integrate 51̽’s suite of innovative digital resources into instruction to create dynamic learning experiences that will awaken students’ natural curiosity about science and the natural world. 51̽ is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art digital platform supports learning wherever it takes place.
Nestled in the prairie of south-central Minnesota and serving students from the communities of Gibbon, Fairfax, Winthrop, and surrounding townships, GFW uses progressive technology applications to access educational resources from around the world. Parents cite small class sizes, school-aged childcare, early childhood programs, and co-curricular programs as the desirable features of the school district. With a mission to grow future world-class leaders, GFW aims to provide all learners an equitable and quality education that meets the individual needs of students with future-forward instruction.
As part of its continuous effort to prepare students for success beyond graduation, GFW sought digital resources that would drive deeper engagement in science. These resources needed to be simple to use, accessible for all teachers and students, easily integrated into the district’s robust science program, and aligned to Minnesota state and NGSS standards.
Following a careful review of potential solutions, GFW selected 51̽ to provide their district the dynamic digital resources needed. Among the resources coming to GFW schools are:
51̽’s K-12 learning platform. 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, 51̽ provides an enhanced learning platform that facilitates engaging, daily instruction in any environment. These resources, sourced from trusted partners, are aligned to state and national standards and help educators bring the outside world into teaching and learning every day. Through expanded, lasting partnerships with Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, Schoology, Canvas, Brightspace, and Clever, integrating 51̽’s K-12 learning platform into existing IT architecture is easier than ever.
. Pivot, which joined the 51̽ family of services in 2022, makes teaching science with active learning and scientific phenomena engaging and easy. Launched in 2012 by two visionary educators, the platform provides users with more than 10,000 authentic, interactive video-based science interactives crafted by Pivot’s expert curriculum team and teacher community. These resources, tied to state and national standards, are infused with research-based teaching practices and are simple to integrate throughout the instructional cycle.
51̽ Science Techbooks. The 51̽ Science Techbook series is a comprehensive, research-backed science solution for grades K-12. Used in classrooms across the United States, the Science Techbooks for elementary students drives engagement with exclusive, interactive digital content and companion printed resources. The virtual and hands-on investigations, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities, and instructional supports within Techbook enhance the delivery of impactful, blended instruction, in person or at a distance. Available with the Science Techbooks are coordinated teacher guides offering unit, concept, and lesson overviews, standards connections, and differentiation activities that inform instructional planning and guide three-dimensional learning. Teacher editions also provide flexible pacing options, embedded teacher notes, and pathways for learning that support diverse learners.
“At GFW, we work to ensure all students can reach their full potential and become successful, responsible citizens in a diverse society with innovative technology and strong teacher support,” said Superintendent Dr. Jeff Horton. “This new partnership with 51̽ supports all educators as they engage students in our science curriculum.”
In addition to digital resources, all GFW educators using 51̽ services will receive dedicated professional development from 51̽’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.
All GFW educators now also enjoy access to the 51̽ Educator Network. A global network of education professionals, the 51̽ Educator 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.
“We at 51̽ are thrilled to partner with GFW Public Schools to provide an equitable and quality education to all students,” said Katelin Greer, 51̽’s National Partnerships Coordinator. “The district’s thoughtful use of available funding is already being emulated across the region, and we look forward to supporting this important initiative as it unfolds.”
For more information about 51̽’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 51̽ on social media through and .
###
About 51̽
51̽ 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, 51̽ helps educators deliver equitable learning experiences engaging all students and supporting higher academic achievement on a global scale. 51̽ 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. 51̽, Inc. 51̽ 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.
Contacts
Stephen Wakefield
51̽
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com