EdCircuit Staff 
Charlotte, NC (Thursday, April 18, 2024)—Arizona’s Apache Junction Unified School District (AJUSD) today announced a new collaboration with global edtech leader Discovery Education supporting innovative teaching and learning in the district. In this new phase of partnership, teachers and students in grades K-12 will receive access to a dynamic new digital resource that brings science instruction to life in ways that ignite student curiosity about the natural world and drive deeper engagement in learning.
AJUSD serves over 3,000 students in a 217-square mile area that includes the City of Apache Junction, Gold Canyon, Peralta Trail, Queen Valley, and the unincorporated areas of the Superstition Mountain foothills. The district is committed to providing all students with a world-class education that empowers them to become innovative scholars, college/career prepared, and compassionate global citizens. By fostering a dynamic learning community that cultivates intellectual curiosity and critical thinking, AJUSD is helping all students develop into lifelong learners.
In support of AJUSD’s effort to embrace cutting-edge pedagogical methods and technology to deliver a curriculum that is both rigorous and engaging, district curriculum leaders sought a new, digital K-12 science solution. Specifically, the AJUSD team sought a flexible, teacher-friendly, classroom-tested science solution that was easy to integrate into instruction and aligned to Arizona’s state education standards.
Following a careful review of available resources, the district selected Discovery Education’s Science Techbook for classroom use.
Delivered through Discovery Education Experience, the curated collection of high-quality, grade-level appropriate digital content aligned to Arizona’s K-12 Academic Standards and made available to public schools statewide by Arizona’s Department of Education, Science Techbook is a K-12 core curriculum that includes engaging digital resources, hands-on activity kits, virtual investigations, and custom professional learning. This comprehensive resource includes ready-to use, phenomena-driven lessons that motivate students, powerful technology tools—such as toggle-on Spanish translation—that personalize access, and time-saving teacher tools that streamline prep and grading. Science Techbook is available in both print and digital formats, providing a seamless classroom experience complete with immersive, interactive ways to explore, including hands-on engineering activities, interactive labs, and STEM connections.
Through its digital, print, and blended options, Science Techbook delivers a wide range of high-quality resources that support students as they discover how science is practiced in the real world while focusing on deeper understanding and application of grade-appropriate science content. Recently, Discovery Education’s Science Techbook was certified as meeting the rigorous, evidence-based ESSA Tier III standards as set forth in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
“Apache Junction Unified School District has made creating tailored learning experiences that let students follow their curiosity a priority,” said Meara Verna, AJUSD’s Executive Director of Educational Services. “With these new resources, our teachers will have state-of-the-art tools and resources to create the dynamic lessons our students need and deserve, and I look forward to seeing the Science Techbook in action across district classrooms.”
All AJUSD educators also enjoy access to the Discovery Educator Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery 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.
“Discovery Education is excited to collaborate with the Apache Junction Unified School District’s team to support science education and the creation of student-centered learning experiences,” said Nicholas Yorio, Discovery Education Senior Account Executive. “The district has created an innovative approach to preparing all learners for success beyond graduation, and we are proud to support their work.”
For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions visit www.discoveryeducation.com and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.
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