Students’ performance increased in science, reading, and math using Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ and professional development
Smithsonian and Carolina Biological Announce New Study Results and Effectiveness of their K – 5 Science Curriculum
Julie Gates for Carolina Biological Supply Company
562-429-5972 or jgatespr@yahoo.com
The Smithsonian Science Education Center and Carolina Biological announced new independent study results showing the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ curriculum improved students’ scores in N.C. and S.C. schools. Together with professional development, Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™, which is published by Carolina Biological, the leading school science supplier, was shown to raise science, math and reading performance for grades 3 to 5. The five-year study, “Improving Student Achievement Across State Borders and State Standards,” concluded that the print, digital and hands-on program, coupled with high-quality professional learning, raises students’ standardized test scores. The classroom evaluation of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curriculum with accompanying professional learning concluded that the sample of 1,600 students showed statistically significant gains in science on the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT10) relative to their peers, scoring 7 percentage points higher.
As part of the research from 2019-2024, the Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) at the University of Memphis conducted a school-level randomized controlled trial following a cohort of more than 1,600 students. Students in grades 3 through 5 were part of the study from rural and diverse North and South Carolina. Participating school districts were: Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Polk County Schools in North Carolina; and Marion, Marlboro, and Orangeburg County School Districts in South Carolina. The study was funded by an Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant (PR# U411C190055) awarded to the Smithsonian Science Education Center from the U.S. Department of Education.
On the SAT10, students who are often underrepresented in STEM careers, including: female students, the economically disadvantaged, those with individualized education programs (IEPs), and those who are Black, Indigenous, people of color – still outperformed their peers in science. The difference for female students was statistically significant. Overall across both states, all students performed better in reading and math on their state assessments than their peers. During the study, observers also noted extensive or frequent hands-on learning over 60 percent more often in classrooms using Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ than in the comparison schools.
“The results of this new study not only emphasize the quality of our curriculum and professional development to improve students’ science, reading, and math scores, but also underlines our commitment to helping teachers bring the Smithsonian into their classrooms,” said Carol O’Donnell, the Douglas M. Lapp and Anne B. Keiser Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center.
Teachers received 12 hours of high-quality professional learning for each of the new science and engineering modules they implemented over three years. One module at a time was added to give teachers a chance to feel comfortable with the material and a more student-driven learning style. Teachers received Smithsonian Science for the Classroom engineering and physical science modules for their classes.
“Carolina is proud of the classroom study results and our partner at Smithsonian for getting the U.S. Department of Education EIR grant, leading the study, and coordinating with CREP at the University of Memphis,” said Jim Parrish, President and CEO at Carolina Biological Supply Company. “The study was done with meticulous standards and provides research results schools need to choose science resources that really improve science learning and help teachers build students’ STEM skills. It is noteworthy that teachers who received professional development and Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ improved not only science scores on standardized tests, but math and reading scores on State tests as well.”
Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ is a high-quality comprehensive science program with life science, earth and space science, physical science, and engineering modules developed to meet the *Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This elementary curriculum engages, inspires, and connects students firsthand to the world around them through a total of 24 student-driven modules. It helps teachers keep classes fresh and interesting to young students and integrate science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through engaging and hands-on lessons. Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ includes print and digital components, as well as hands-on materials. It was voted the most culturally relevant science program by the National Science Teaching Association in BEST of STEM 2023 awards and has received an All-Green rating from EdReports.
Smithsonian Science for the Classroom is available for schools through Carolina. For information, visit Carolina’s website, call (800) 334-5551, or e-mail curriculum@carolina.com.
* NGSS is a registered trademark of WestEd. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it.
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