WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A sponsor of North Carolina Science Teachers Association’s (NCSTA) annual professional development institute today, Carolina Biological announced that the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction recommended for adoption two of its science curricula. The two programs the Department recommended for adoption are co-published with the Smithsonian Science Education Center, Smithsonian Science for the Classroom™ for grades K-5 and Smithsonian Science and Technology Concepts™ for Middle School (STCMS™) for grades 6 and 7. Smithsonian Science for the Classroom earned all-green ratings from the nonprofit EdReports earlier this year and is the only elementary science curriculum recommended for adoption by the NC Department of Public Instruction. It is the first time in many years that NC science teachers have refreshing opportunities to bring in new science materials designed to get students inspired and working together to solve problems. Students will observe phenomena and work to solve problems in every lesson, providing the opportunity for students to work as active scientists and prepare for a career in STEM.
Smithsonian Science for the Classroom is proven to be effective at schools in North Carolina and other states by a five-year independent randomized control trial research study in collaboration with Smithsonian Science Education Center. Dr. Carol O’Donnell, the Douglas M. Lapp and Anne B. Keiser Director of the Smithsonian Science Education Center, is a keynote speaker at the NCSTA conference today at 10:30 a.m. EST https://www.ncsta.org/featured-speakers/dr-carol-o-donnell/. She will be discussing the newly released research results, which include how the curriculum had positive and statistically significant effects on students’ science, reading and math achievement in North and South Carolina schools.
“It’s an honor to see the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curriculum as the only K-5 program recognized on North Carolina’s adoption list,” said Dr. O’Donnell. “We’re also thrilled that Smithsonian's STCMS has been selected for Grades 6-7, reinforcing our commitment to bringing high-quality science education, rooted in real-world phenomena, to classrooms across North Carolina. We look forward to supporting teachers as they use these resources to inspire curiosity and achievement in science for all students.”
North Carolina revised its science standards last year. The 2023 North Carolina Standard Course of Study focuses on getting students ready for careers of the future. Having a solid science background prepares students for jobs. Science opens students’ minds to careers they wouldn’t have thought.
“Carolina is excited about our Smithsonian Science programs being chosen for recommendation for adoption by our home state of N.C.,” said Jim Parrish, President and CEO at Carolina Biological Supply Company. “It is big news that the NC Department of Public Instruction selected for recommendation only one elementary science program to meet their new science standards. Carolina is proud to have been a publisher of Smithsonian science curriculum materials for almost 40 years.”
Smithsonian Science for the Classroom and STCMS (K-8)
Smithsonian Science for the Classroom for grades K-5 provides cohesive storylines, superior teacher support, and research-supported instructional design that is backed by evidence of efficacy in science, reading, and math. It is a high-quality core science and engineering curriculum specifically developed to meet the *NGSS. The series includes print and digital components, as well as hands-on materials.
STCMS for grades 6-8 steps up to the challenge of meeting the full intent of the standards: 1. Three-dimensional learning; 2. Coherent learning progressions; 3. Students making sense of phenomena and designing solutions; 4. Science content aligned with English language arts and mathematics; and 5. All standards, all students. The program is in use at schools throughout the country and teachers have reported a positive impact on their classes.
For information about Carolina’s two science programs that were recommended for adoption in North Carolina, visit Carolina at https://www.smithsonianstc.com/smithsonian-science-for-the-classroom-172N7-41295L.html, or https://www.smithsonianstc.com/stcms-172N7-41395L.html, or 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.
