September 7, 2023 10:21 am

Soft Skills with Big Impact: the 4Cs of STEM

Make STEM classrooms a playground for curiosity, a canvas for creativity, a stage for communication, and a hub for collaboration. When students embrace these skills, they’re not just preparing for the future — they’re shaping it.

“Hey Siri, how many rings does Saturn have?”

“Alexa, tell me what the square root of 1089?”

“ChatGPT: give me HTML code to embed a basic calculator on a webpage.”

There was a day when students had to ask their teachers, librarians, or even consult an encyclopedia for this type of information. But those days are long (like really long) gone, and the teacher is no longer the only keeper of information in the room.

Since the teacher’s role is evolving due to new technologies, and certainly students are not motivated to memorize what Alexa already knows, what should STEM classrooms be focused on? What skills are employers in STEM careers looking for if ChatGPT can produce code for free?

A 2018 survey by the Association of American Colleges & Universities showed, “that just 34 percent of top executives and 25 percent of hiring managers say students have the skills to be promoted. Many of those skills are soft skills — communication, team work, problem-solving — that are critical in a quickly shifting job market. Entry-level skills change every few years; it’s the habits of learning to learn and navigating the ambiguity of a career that will prove most valuable to undergraduates in the long run.”

The National Education Association has boiled these soft skills down to the 4 Cs: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration. Let’s explore why these 4Cs are critical to providing a modern STEM education that gives students real career opportunities.

1. Critical Thinking: where curiosity begins

Imagine a classroom buzzing with questions. Except, not fact-based “how many rings does Saturn have” questions. Questions like: is it possible for New York City to become carbon neutral? What would that plan look like? Or: why does the kind of water (fresh or salt) affect how long it takes an ice cube to melt? That’s the power of critical thinking at work. It’s all about encouraging young minds to ask, “Why?” and “How?” Critical thinkers don’t just accept things at face value; they dig deeper. When students learn to analyze information, separate facts from opinions, and spot patterns, they become problem-solving heroes.

Picture a group of students exploring a science experiment. Instead of just following a set of instructions, they’re asking themselves, “What will happen if we change this variable?” That’s critical thinking igniting their imagination — it’s like a spark that lights up their learning journey.

2. Creativity: where imagination takes flight

Creativity isn’t just for artists — it’s a skill that every STEM student needs. It’s about looking at a problem from a different angle and dreaming up new solutions. Think of it as the magic wand that turns ordinary ideas into extraordinary ones.

Take a moment to think about a famous inventor, like Thomas Edison. He didn’t just stumble upon the light bulb; it took him 1000 attempts to find a design that worked. Creativity is what made him keep going, even when things got tough. Encouraging our students to think outside the box, to come up with wild ideas, and to believe that they can change the world — that’s the heart of creativity in STEM education.

3. Communication: bridges between minds

Imagine a world where nobody understood each other. It would be chaotic, right? Communication is like a bridge that connects our thoughts to the world. In STEM, it’s not enough to have brilliant ideas; you also need to share them effectively.

Think about a young engineer who designs an amazing new gadget. If they can’t explain how it works to others, their idea might never see the light of day. Teaching students how to express complex ideas in simple terms empowers them to inspire, collaborate, and bring their innovations to life.

4. Collaboration: teamwork for triumph

Remember the saying, “Two heads are better than one”? That’s the spirit of collaboration. In a world where problems are more complex than ever, working together is key. Collaboration is like a puzzle; each piece has its role, and when they come together, they create something amazing.

Think about a group of students working on a science project. Some are great at designing, others excel at research, and a few are natural leaders. When they pool their talents, their project becomes a masterpiece. It’s the same spirit that built the tallest skyscrapers and sent humans to the moon.

Putting the 4Cs into action

Imagine a classroom where students use their critical thinking skills to solve a real-world problem. Maybe they’re designing a water-saving system for their school garden. They brainstorm creative ideas, like using rainwater and self-watering plants. Then, they work as a team to build the system and explain their design to their classmates. These students are embracing the 4Cs in action: critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration.

Empowering educators for success

As educators, you’re the guides on this exciting journey. You hold the keys to nurturing the 4Cs in your students. Encourage them to question, to dream, to share, and to work together. Make STEM education a playground for curiosity, a canvas for creativity, a stage for communication, and a hub for collaboration.

When students embrace these skills, they’re not just preparing for the future — they’re shaping it.

Imagine Learning STEM

Prepare the next generation of STEM leaders with digital and hands-on learning aligned to the 4 Cs.

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About the Author – Carolyn Snell

Carolyn Snell started her career in education teaching first grade in San Bernardino, California. A passion for the way technology and stellar curricula can transform classrooms led her to various jobs in edtech, including at the Orange County Department of Education. Her knack for quippy copy landed her a dream job marketing StudySync—an industry leading ELA digital curriculum. Now, as the Senior Content Marketing Manager for Imagine Learning, Carolyn revels in the opportunity to promote innovative products and ideas that are transforming the educational space for teachers and students.

August 31, 2023 6:15 am

Imagine Robotify Named 2023 Tech Edvocate Award Winner

Imagine Robotify Earns Top Honor as Best Coding App or Tool in 2023 Tech Edvocate Awards

Scottsdale, Arizona, August 31, 2023 – Imagine Learning, a leading provider of digital curriculum solutions in the United States, has been named a 2023 Tech Edvocate Award winner in the Best Coding App or Tool for Imagine Robotify.

Imagine Robotify is an accessible, immersive computer science solution for grades 3 and above. Students learn to code by programming virtual robots on a 3D browser-based simulator. They also problem-solve through a “Learn, Create, Compete” instructional design—developing the four Cs of STEM. Learn more about Imagine Robotify here.

“We’re thrilled to be honored by the Tech Edvocate Awards with this recognition. This award represents the incredible work of many people at Imagine Learning who are dedicated to creating programs, like Imagine Robotify, that are efficacious and engaging for students,” shared Adam Dalton, CEO of Imagine Robotify. “It’s our passion to ensure every student knows they can be successful in whatever academic avenue they pursue, whether it’s coding or another STEM field they are interested in. We love that Imagine Robotify prepares today’s students for the future workforce by teaching critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity skills they’ll need to succeed.”

The Tech Edvocate Awards were created to highlight the edtech tools, organizations, and individuals that best serve and support today’s students and educators. Tech Edvocate Award winners were determined by a panel of edtech thought leaders, PreK-college educators and administrators, and PreK–12 parents. Judges evaluated entries based on whether the developers of the edtech product are in the educational field, whether the product was developed with research and teacher input, whether the product is scalable, flexible, engaging, and unique, and other rigorous qualifications.

Every classroom, every student is bursting with potential. That’s why we pursue relentless innovation at the intersection of technology, people, and curricula. Imagine Learning creates K–12 digital-first solutions, fueled by insights from educators, that evolve with the ever-changing demands of tomorrow. We work alongside educators to support over 15 million students in over half of the districts nationwide. Our core portfolio includes Twig Science®, Imagine Learning Illustrative Mathematics®, and Imagine Learning EL Education®. Our robust supplemental and intervention suite equips learners with insightful and personalized instruction for literacy in English and Spanish, math, coding, and more. Imagine Edgenuity™ is our flagship courseware solution, complemented by Imagine School Services’ Certified Teachers. Imagine Learning. Empower potential. Learn more at https://www.imaginelearning.com.

August 29, 2023 6:15 am

Imagine Math Meets ESSA Evidence Standard

Evidence for ESSA’s review of Imagine Math research indicates promising evidence of program effectiveness

Scottsdale, Arizona, August 29, 2023 — A research study from Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the U.S., serving over 15 million students, received an ESSA Promising rating from Evidence for ESSA, a website produced by the Center for Research and Reform in Education at Johns Hopkins University that promotes the use of programs that meet ESSA evidence standards.

Evidence for ESSA reviewed Imagine Learning’s study Impact Evaluation of Imagine Math in a Charter School Network, and published their review in June 2023, indicating the research provides promising evidence of significant, positive impact for students in grades K-8.  

“Educators are rightfully searching for educational programs with a proven record of effectiveness in helping students achieve learning gains,” said Sari Factor, Vice Chair and Chief Strategy Officer at Imagine Learning. “The research reviewed by Evidence for ESSA demonstrates Imagine Learning’s commitment to ensure that our products optimize learning outcomes for students. Our mission is to inspire learning breakthroughs for students, and studies like this provide evidence that Imagine Math helps students learn, grow, and reach their academic potential.”

For the Impact Evaluation of Imagine Math in a Charter School Network study, Imagine Learning partnered with a charter school network in the southeastern region of the United States to evaluate how Imagine Math impacted students’ academic performance in mathematics. In total, 9,015 users of the Imagine Math program in Kindergarten through Grade 8 were compared to 9,015 statistically similar students in Florida and North Carolina.

The research was designed to retroactively compare the academic performance of students who used Imagine Math with those who did not during the 2020–2021 school year. Results showed that students in grades K-8 who used Imagine Math scored significantly higher on the Spring 2021 administration of the NWEA MAP Growth Math test than did similar comparison students. Similarly, results by grade level showed statistically higher performance for students in Grades 1 through 8 who used Imagine Math. Thus, the study provided evidence that the use of Imagine Math supports students’ mathematics achievement.

Evidence for ESSA vets educational research through rigorous review “to provide clear and authoritative information on programs that meet the ESSA evidence standards and enable educators and communities to select effective educational tools to improve student success.” Congress passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015 as the federal law governing K-12 education. Within the bill are stipulations supporting the use of federal dollars on educational programs with evidence of effectiveness.

About Imagine Learning

Imagine Learning creates K–12 digital-first solutions, fueled by insights from educators, that evolve with the ever-changing demands of tomorrow. We work alongside educators to support over 15 million students in over half of the districts nationwide. Our core portfolio includes Twig Science®, Imagine Learning Illustrative Mathematics®, and Imagine Learning EL Education®. Our robust supplemental and intervention suite equips learners with insightful and personalized instruction for literacy in English and Spanish, math, coding, and more. Imagine Edgenuity™ is our flagship courseware solution, complemented by Imagine School Services’ Certified Teachers. Imagine Learning. Empower potential. Learn more at https://www.imaginelearning.com.

Imagine Math® provides rich, standards-based mathematics instruction in motivating, age-appropriate learning environments for PreK–Geometry. This supplemental, adaptive curriculum challenges students with grade-level content and provides scaffolds for learners, as needed, to ensure they always feel successful. Additionally, point-of-need access to live instruction by certified, bilingual math educators is available starting in grade 3.

August 23, 2023 1:35 pm

Navigating A New Era: The Shift from Teacher-Centric to Student-Centered Learning

The era of information scarcity is long gone, leaving room for a new dawn of student-led inquiry, exploration, critical thinking, and discovery. Are you ready for it?

Technology is radically changing how students communicate, collaborate, and create. Their small devices are an extension of their physical selves and give them impressive control over their daily lives. They stream television shows and movies, build music playlists for every mood, and order food to be delivered. This technology-rich reality stands in stark contrast to my experience growing up. If I wanted to watch Friends, I had to be on the couch at 8 o’clock on Thursday nights. I strategically timed bathroom breaks for commercials. And at the end of every season, I wondered, “Will Ross and Rachel finally end up together?” As a viewer, I had no control over my experience.

Watching my two teenagers engage with media is radically different. They decide what they watch, when they watch, where they watch, and how much they watch. They have total control over the media they consume. Despite this new reality, young people spend their days in classrooms that operate like network television. Like it or not (need it or not), all students are getting the same information at the same time. This disconnect between their experience at school and their lives beyond the classroom likely contributes to the high number of students who report negative feelings associated with school (Moeller, Brackett, Ivcevic &White, 2020).

Technology is permeating every aspect of society and fundamentally changing how we engage with information and each other. Yet, many classrooms still function in much the same way they did 20 years ago. Even the addition of computers and tablets in classrooms has not radically changed traditional approaches to teaching and learning. Many teachers still spend their days at the front of the classroom disseminating information. It made sense 100, 40, or even 20 years ago for teachers to dedicate significant time to transferring information. They and the textbook were the sole sources of information in a classroom. However, students today can access unlimited information in myriad formats online. This should have a transformative impact on our approach to educating young people. The era of information scarcity is long gone, leaving room for a new dawn of student-led inquiry, exploration, critical thinking, and discovery.

The era of information scarcity is long gone, leaving room for a new dawn of student-led inquiry, exploration, critical thinking, and discovery.

A Shift in Teacher Mindset: From Expert to Facilitator

However, to truly transform education, educators must ask themselves, “What is my fundamental purpose in the classroom?” The way they perceive their value shapes their teaching methods. If they see themselves merely as experts, they gravitate toward one-size-fits-all, teacher-led, teacher-paced lessons. This whole group approach to teaching fails to acknowledge learner variability or meet the diversity of needs, abilities, language proficiencies, learning preferences, and interests in a classroom. Such a teacher-centric approach also requires the teacher, not the students, to do the lion’s share of the cognitive work. Instead of facilitating active learning, they spend their time at the front of the classroom, presenting information, unpacking complex concepts, and modeling processes and skills in the form of mini-lessons or lectures and relegating students to the role of passive observers.

In an era dominated by technology and advancing AI, teachers must recognize their irreplaceable value lies in their inherent humanness. This includes their ability to listen, observe, empathize, and organically respond to student needs. By contrast, technology excels at disseminating information. One can read a text, watch a video, listen to a podcast, or converse with an AI chatbot to acquire knowledge on various subjects. Moreover, when individuals engage with digital content, they have greater control over their learning experience. They control the pace at which they consume and process information. They can manipulate digital resources in ways that make the information more accessible. For example, students reading an online article can expand the size of a text and look up the definitions of unfamiliar words. When watching a video, they can pause, rewind, or rewatch as needed and add closed captions. They can even adjust the speed of a video or podcast to ensure the presentation of information isn’t too fast or too slow. If technology excels at transferring information, why would teachers spend their limited time with students talking at them?

Teachers can lean on technology to shoulder some of the burden of “covering content,” so they can spend their precious time with students focused on the human side of this work. If teachers leverage technology strategically and use blended learning models to architect student-centered learning experiences, they can embrace their role as facilitators of learning. As facilitators, their focus is working alongside individuals and small groups of learners, supporting them as they work to comprehend complex concepts and apply specific strategies and skills. That way, teachers can effectively differentiate and personalize learning for students to ensure they are all making progress toward firm standards-aligned learning goals.

A Shift in Teacher Skill Set: From One-Size-Fits-All to Blended Learning Models

To free themselves from the front of the room and embrace their role as facilitators of learning, teachers need a more robust and resilient set of technology-enhanced instructional models. Blended learning models combine active, engaged learning online with active, engaged learning offline. They strive to fundamentally shift the focus and locus of control in the classroom from teacher to learner. Teachers in traditional classrooms can use the range of rotation models (e.g., station rotation, whole group rotation, flipped instruction, and playlist) to design student-centered learning experiences that allow students more control over the pace and path of their learning.

These blended learning models also position teachers to work directly with individuals and small groups of learners to differentiate instruction and modeling sessions, provide real-time process-based feedback as students work, conference with students about their progress, and conduct side-by-side assessments. The shift from whole group to small group or individual interactions allows teachers to focus their energy and talents on meeting every student where they are in their individual learning journeys, which is critical if we want to provide an inclusive and equitable learning experience.

In an era dominated by technology and advancing AI, teachers must recognize their irreplaceable value lies in their inherent humanness.

The Goal: Shifting Students From Passive Consumers to Active Agents

When educators adjust their mindset, recognizing their value not just as fountains of knowledge but as facilitators of learning, a transformative change begins. This transformational shift is bolstered by blended learning models, which allocate time and space for direct, individualized interaction between teachers and learners. These models don’t just alter the way teachers design and facilitate learning; they redefine the student experience.

Historically, traditional education has confined students to the sidelines as passive observers and recipients of information. They were vessels to be filled rather than explorers charting their own course. However, blended learning models shift control to learners, positioning them as active agents driving the learning. This demands they move beyond simply absorbing facts and work to make meaning in concert with their peers. The shift to student-centered learning signifies a shift from mere retention to reflection, application, and creation. As active agents, students develop the skills and confidence to explore, discover, and create. Ultimately, the purpose of reimagining teaching and learning is to produce not just knowledgeable individuals but critical thinkers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners.

The shift to student-centered learning is a gradual one. Navigating such an environment demands a higher cognitive and social investment from students compared to traditional teacher-led settings where the educator shoulders most responsibilities. However, the dividends of this evolution are invaluable. Students emerge as “expert learners,” characterized by motivation, resourcefulness, strategy, and self-awareness. They become adept at recognizing their strengths, limitations, areas of growth, and confidently advocating for their needs. For teachers, this approach reignites passion and provides a deeper sense of purpose. As we face a time where many educators are stepping away from their roles and students are bracing for a dynamic world and job landscape, adopting this paradigm shift becomes imperative. In an era when educators are leaving the profession in droves, and students prepare to enter a rapidly changing world and job landscape, this shift is imperative.

About the Author – Dr. Catlin R. Tucker

Dr. Catlin R. Tucker is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, international trainer, and professor in the Masters in the Arts of Teaching Program at Pepperdine University. She taught for 16 years in Sonoma County, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 2010.

Catlin has written a series of books on blended learning including,  The Shift to Student-led, The Complete Guide to Blended Learning, UDL and Blended Learning: Thriving in Flexible Learning Landscapes, Balance With Blended Learning, Blended Learning In Action, Power Up Blended Learning, and Blended Learning In Grades 4-12 . In addition to her books on blended learning, Catlin writes an internationally-ranked blog and hosts a podcast called The Balance. 

Catlin earned her BA in English literature from the University of California at Los Angeles. She earned her English credential and Masters in Education at the University of California at Santa Barbara. In 2020, Catlin earned her doctorate in learning technologies at Pepperdine University, researching teacher engagement in blended learning environments. 

Catlin is active on Twitter  @Catlin_Tucker and Instagram  @CatlinTucker. 

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Listen to Dr. Catlin Tucker’s keynote address on October 25th at 6pm ET.

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August 23, 2023 9:00 am

Imagine Learning, the Largest National Provider of Digital Curriculum Solutions, Launches Artificial Intelligence Focused Venture Fund 

Imagine Learning Ventures Will Invest in Disruptive and Promising A.I.-Powered Educational Solutions

Imagine Learning, the largest national provider of digital curriculum solutions serving over 15 million students and one million educators, has launched Imagine Learning Ventures, a venture fund to make investments in promising A.I.-powered educational solutions. Leveraging Imagine Learning’s industry expertise, domain knowledge, and strong balance sheet, coupled with its track record of successful acquisitions and investments in emerging technologies, this new fund will complement the company’s A.I. development initiatives with investments in startups that are at the forefront of innovative solutions for K–12 educators and learners.

“We have built a world-class business predicated on the fundamental belief in and commitment to the transformative impact of digitally enabled learning,” said Jonathan Grayer, Chairman and CEO of Imagine Learning. “Imagine Learning has always been at the cutting edge of leveraging technology, including A.I., to empower educators and improve student outcomes. We are investing aggressively, tapping into the enormous potential of generative A.I. while always keeping learner well-being and the teacher’s success top of mind to help shape tomorrow’s classrooms.”   

“Imagine Learning Ventures is differentiated in several ways: by the strength of our balance sheet, which allows us to deploy millions of dollars across the A.I. landscape; by our patient capital approach that encourages thoughtful product development and engagement with teachers and administrators to solve their problems and improve learning outcomes; and by bringing access to a diversified network of businesses and customers across the K–12 ecosystem. We look forward to partnering with entrepreneurs around the world that can benefit from our established presence in K–12 education and long-term perspective,” Mr. Grayer stated. 

Imagine Learning continuously invests to improve and augment its suite of leading curriculum products with tools that leverage A.I. to support students and educators. The company is focused on using A.I. to make itself more innovative, efficient, and productive — all designed to create better products and outcomes for customers. 

Mr. Grayer concluded: “We are laser-focused on creating educational technology that does the heavy lifting so that teachers can do their most important work — interacting with students to ensure their academic success. The responsible use of A.I. means that we must always serve the teaching and learning goals, empower educators, follow sound pedagogy, and ensure that our solutions are safe for students and free from bias. We are excited about Imagine Learning Ventures and the opportunities ahead.” 

About Imagine Learning 

Every classroom, every student is bursting with potential. That’s why we pursue relentless innovation at the intersection of technology, people, and curricula. Imagine Learning creates PreK–12 digital-first solutions, fueled by insights from educators, that evolve with the ever-changing demands of tomorrow. We work alongside educators to support over 15 million students in half of the districts nationwide. Our core portfolio includes Twig Science®, Imagine Learning Illustrative Mathematics®, and Imagine Learning EL Education®. Our robust supplemental and intervention suite equips learners with insightful and personalized instruction for literacy in English and Spanish, math, coding, and more. Imagine Edgenuity™ is our flagship courseware solution, complemented by Imagine School Services’ Certified Teachers. Imagine Learning. Empower potential.  

August 16, 2023 9:00 am

Imagine Learning Foundation Awards $400,000 in Imagine Signature Grants to Five Organizations Dedicated to Learner Well-Being Outside the Classroom

Represents a 100% Increase in Signature Grants in Year Two of Program Foundation Remains Committed to Awarding $5 Million

Scottsdale, Arizona, August 16, 2023 – Imagine Learning Foundation (ILF), the philanthropic initiative funded by Imagine Learning, a leading provider of digital curriculum solutions in the United States, today announced that it has awarded approximately $400,000 in 2023 Imagine Signature Grants to five organizations actively working to improve the well-being of learners beyond the classroom. ILF and these five nonprofits are dedicated to meeting the critical needs of young people and their families throughout the country.

With an initial contribution of $5 million, Imagine Learning created and funded ILF with one principal goal: to foster the well-being of learners and the people who support them at home and in their communities. The 2023 Imagine Signature Grants represent a 100% increase over the 2022 Signature Grants and underscores ILF’s commitment to investing in initiatives that address holistic student well-being, with an emphasis on mental health and personal development.

“At Imagine Learning, we understand that effective learning thrives in a safe and supportive environment – where learners are supported physically, mentally and emotionally,” said Jonathan Grayer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Imagine Learning. “Our vision for the Imagine Learning Foundation is to invest in and elevate organizations dedicated to delivering solutions to today’s issues for students and families beyond the classroom walls. It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the positive impact of our efforts to date. We will continue to play our part to support the enrichment and well-being of every learner on their journey to a brighter, successful future.”

The 2023 Imagine Signature Grant award winners are:

  • WPSU (Penn State University Philanthropic Fund), founded in 1965, is a Pennsylvania-based public media station dedicated to sparking discovery, enriching learning and strengthening communities through vibrant public media. To expand on WPSU’s forerunner multimedia project, Speaking Grief, ILF awarded WPSU a $100,000 grant to support the creation of Learning Grief, a free website, supplemented with community workshops and at-home learning materials, that will teach understanding and skills to support grieving children. Bereavement is the most common, and often overlooked, trauma suffered by children, and closely tied to poor academic performance. Learning Grief will provide age-appropriate lessons to help children navigate emotions dealing with grief and teach families and communities how to recognize grief and support children to deal with this trauma.
  • Our Minds Matter (OMM), founded in 2012, is a Virginia-based national nonprofit dedicated to fostering a world where no teen dies by suicide, and where all teens can seek help to become their healthiest and best selves. OMM implements student-led clubs where teens participate in activities designed to promote help-seeking behavior, positive coping skills, and other proactive suicide prevention efforts. OMM currently serves approximately 3,000 students in over 150 schools nationwide. ILF awarded OMM a $100,000 grant to support expansion into 20 new schools across the country. 
  • Genesys Works, founded in Houston, Texas in 2002, is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing young adults in underserved communities with access to skills training, meaningful paid work opportunities, and impactful mentorship to help support each learner’s career path and individual upward mobility. ILF awarded Genesys Works with an $83,000 grant to implement new evaluation tools designed to measure changes in students’ adaptive mindset and career readiness for their 2024 and 2025 graduating classes.
  • Big Sky Youth Empowerment Program (BYEP), founded in 2001, is a Montana-based nonprofit dedicated to providing teenagers in Montana with group mentorship, experiential adventures, and life skills curriculum designed to foster success and help them become contributing members of society. ILF awarded BYEP a $58,000 grant to develop an age-appropriate suicide prevention and awareness curriculum as well as fund professional development for the BYEP team to assist teens who are experiencing a heightened state of crisis.
  • Erika’s Lighthouse, founded in 2004, is an Illinois-based national nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness and providing school professionals with free resources to educate youth, their families, and the community about adolescent depression while breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health. Erika’s Lighthouse was an inaugural Imagine Signature Grant recipient in 2022, and ILF is renewing their commitment in 2023 with an additional $50,000 grant to further expand upon the family engagement program that ILF previously supported. The new funding will allow Erika’s Lighthouse to increase their marketing efforts and staff capacity to fully engage more school communities and ensure all of Erika’s Lighthouse’s resources, including the family engagement program, are available to students across the country.

ILF received 450% more grant applications for the 2023 Imagine Signature Grant funding cycle. This significant increase in year two of the program underscores both the pressing needs of many organizations throughout the country for mission-critical resources and ILF’s willingness to invest in these programs. After a thorough review of compelling proposals by many worthy applicants, these five organizations were selected and awarded the resources requested to meet their project’s funding needs.  

“All of us at the Imagine Learning Foundation were thrilled with the extraordinary surge in applications from qualified nonprofits devoted to supporting the well-being of learners outside of the classroom,” said Chris Graham, Chairman and President of the Imagine Learning Foundation. “The remarkable response reaffirms our commitment to impacting the lives of thousands of learners through targeted funding to amplify the tremendous efforts of organizations such as WPSU, Our Minds Matter, Genesys Works, BYEP, and Erika’s Lighthouse. We are proud to partner with these deserving organizations and we look forward to supporting them in their commendable endeavors.”

In addition to the Imagine Signature Grants, ILF has reserved funds to award a number of Grassroots Grants to employee-recommended regional organizations that focus on learner well-being and digital education equity in out-of-classroom learning spaces in Imagine Learning employees’ local communities. The Grassroot Grants will be announced later this year.

To learn more about the Imagine Learning Foundation and the Imagine Signature Grant winners, visit imaginelearningfoundation.org.

About Imagine Learning Foundation

Imagine Learning Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on fostering the well-being of learners and the people who support them at home and in their communities. Established in 2021, the Imagine Learning Foundation funds a variety of grants to mission-aligned national non-profit organizations that support initiatives to foster well-being of youth, families, and educators with an emphasis on accelerating student achievement. Imagine Learning Foundation is the philanthropic initiative of Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the U.S. Additional information is available at imaginelearningfoundation.org.

August 8, 2023 6:10 am

Twig Science Module Earns Prestigious WestEd NGSS Design Badge

Twig Science Middle School’s Volcano Hunters module was awarded the WestEd NGSS Design Badge

Scottsdale, Arizona – August 8, 2023 — Imagine Learning, the largest provider of digital curriculum solutions in the U.S., serving over 15 million students in more than half the school districts nationwide, has been awarded its first prestigious NGSS Design Badge from WestEd for the Volcano Hunters module of its Twig Science Middle School program. 

WestEd, a nonpartisan research, development, and service agency, works with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children, youth, and adults. The NGSS Design Badge is awarded to top-rated science lessons and units designed for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Only 4% of units reviewed by WestEd have been awarded the esteemed NGSS Design Badge.  The NGSS Design Badge provides an easy way for educators to be assured that units, like the Twig Science Middle School Volcano Hunters unit, are designed for the NGSS and that publishers and developers, are creating materials that are high quality and designed for NGSS. 

Volcano Hunters is part of Twig Science Middle School, a phenomena-based program designed for the NGSS. In the module, students use visual media, datasets, maps, and hands-on exploration to figure out why some mountainous areas have volcanoes and others do not. They apply the three dimensions of the NGSS as they analyze real-life data from active volcanoes, assess threat levels, and devise a plan to protect people from the dangers of eruptions. A preview of the Volcano Hunters module can be found here.

“We are honored to be acknowledged by WestEd for our work on the Volcano Hunters module,” shared Natasha Stillwell, President of Imagine Learning Studios UK and a Twig Science program author. “The teams that work on our Twig Science program are incredibly talented and innovative, and focused on creating only the highest quality of science education curricula for our students and educators.” 

Educational materials with the highest rating on the EQuIP Rubric for Science earn the NGSS Design Badge. Having a science unit achieve this distinction for design “reflects the degree to which the innovations represented by the standards are a foundational aspect of both the organization and content of the instructional materials.” Educators can use this distinction to help in their science curricula selection along with considering other third-party organizations that review materials for alignment and usability of the standards.  

About Imagine Learning

Imagine Learning provides digital-first PreK–12 solutions for core instruction, supplemental and intervention, online courses, and virtual instruction. Our mission is to ignite learning breakthroughs with forward-thinking solutions at the intersection of people, curricula, and technology. Imagine Learning serves over 15 million students—partnering with over half of districts nationwide.  

Twig Science provides comprehensive coverage of science standards through engaging hands-on and digital investigations where Pre-K–8 students take on the roles of real-world scientists and engineers. Twig Science challenges all students to become creative problem solvers, making sense of real-world phenomena. Learn more about Imagine Learning at imaginelearning.com and learn more about Twig Science here.  

July 19, 2023 12:00 pm

Kentucky School District Trains on New Math and Reading Educational Programs

Published by: Spectrum News 1

Jefferson County Public Schools is implementing a school-wide literacy and math curriculum starting in the fall. It’s called Imagine Learning. Middle and elementary school teachers spent Tuesday learning about Illustrative Mathematics.

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July 19, 2023 12:00 pm

The Philadelphia School District is Spending $70 Million on New Curricula. Here’s a Primer on the Coming Changes.

Published by: Philadelphia Inquirer

“It is really built to be more conceptual and more engaging for students around mathematics discussions,” Lauren Overton [Principal of Penn Alexander in West Philadelphia] said. “This program is robust, and it gives the teachers routines and practices that are going to benefit the students for years to come.”

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July 18, 2023 12:00 pm

JCPS Rolling Out New Curriculum to Enhance Students’ Learning in Math

Published by: WDRB

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is instituting a systemwide reading and math curriculum for kindergarten through eighth grade students for the 2023-24 school year. Educators are receiving training on Imagine Learning’s Illustrative Mathematics, which is curriculum designed to give all students equity and access to grade-level mathematics.

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