Press Category: On the Wire

Charlotte, NC (Friday, June 27, 2025)—In a first of its kind agreement, New Jersey’s West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District (WWP) today announced a new partnership with Otus, the leading K-12 assessment, data, and insights solution, and Discovery Education, the creators of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world. Through this collaboration, Otus and Discovery Education are providing new resources that help WWP organize student data into actionable insights and enhance district educators’ ability to interpret that data and make informed, strategic decisions that improve achievement.

Located in Central New Jersey’s Mercer County, WWP is a PreK-12 public school district that educates over 9,300 students and employs over 1,300 staff members in 10 schools across the West Windsor and Plainsboro Townships. Building upon their tradition of excellence, WWP’s mission is to empower all learners to thoughtfully contribute to a diverse and changing world with confidence, strength of character, and love of learning.

To enhance the district’s ability to collect, read, and react to student assessment data, WWP’s team sought a digital solution that offered unparalleled insight into student performance. In addition, school administrators sought one resource that would provide both educators and families the tools and insights needed to support student success. Following a careful review of available solutions, WWP selected the Otus platform provided through Discovery Education. Through the Otus platform, WWP educators will:

• Gain a holistic view of student learning with district assessment data in one place, including insights from DreamBox Math by Discovery Education, which is used by WWP teachers and students. A K-8 online math program that supplements core instruction in the classroom or at home, DreamBox Math, which was updated earlier this year with a host of improvements, is independently proven to increase math achievement. 
• Improve educators’ ability to collaborate in PLCs to group students with similar needs for targeted intervention or extension and align instructional strategies directly with data insights to ensure all student needs are met.
• Set every student up for success with a collaborative plan that outlines achievable goals and milestones to address academic, attendance, and other needs—while making progress visible to families.

According to Allan Johnson, WWP’s Supervisor of Technology, Training, & Media Sources, “The addition of Otus to the district tech stack improves our educators’ ability to easily pull and analyze achievement data and then adjust instruction to improve student outcomes. We look forward to deploying this new resource districtwide.”

WWP educators using Otus will receive dedicated professional development from Otus’ team of professional learning experts. Through these interactive professional development sessions, participants will learn best practices for integrating their new digital resources into instruction. Effective professional learning increases student engagement and supports the continued academic development of all students.   

“Discovery Education is thrilled to continue to support the students and teachers of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District through its unique collaboration with Otus,” said Tori Byrd, Discovery Education’s Manager of Educational Partnerships. “As the first school system nationwide to leverage the unique partnership between Otus and Discovery Education to combine high-quality learning solutions and state-of-the-art data analytics, West Windsor-Plainsboro is setting a new bar for innovation in this space.”

To learn about how Otus and Discovery Education have collaborated to support student achievement, visit www.discoveryeducation.com/Solutions/Otus.

For more information about Otus, visit www.otus.com and stay connected to Otus on social media through X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.   

For more information about Discovery Education, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.    

Subscribe to edCircuit to stay up to date on all of our shows, podcasts, news, and thought leadership articles.

Pangram, the most accurate and most reliable technology for detecting text created by AI, has closed a round of pre-seed and seed funding totaling $3.98 million. The most recent investments of more than $2.7 million add to the previous pre-seed funding of $1.25 million.

“Identifying AI text with confidence is increasingly essential across education, business, and the media, and we have the best technology to do that,” said Pangram Co-Founder and CEO Max Spero. “Our investors recognize the potency and accuracy of our technology and are standing with Pangram as we continue to gain customers and improve our value proposition,” he said.

Leading the seed round is ScOp, a venture capital firm in California. ScOp is joined in the round by Script Capital, and Cadenza, along with a handful of individual investors. Haystack VC was a lead investor in the initial, pre-seed funding round. 

“This round was successful, in part, because our investors were impressed by the accuracy of the technology and excited about the market opportunity,” said Co-Founder and CTO Bradley Emi. 

With the funding, Pangram will continue to develop partnerships in higher education institutions, which have been struggling to adequately address misuse of AI among students. The company will also build on its existing customer and partner base among businesses and media support organizations which rely on Pangram to establish the authenticity of news development, product reviews, and other written material.

“We set out to build the most accurate AI detection technology, one that can be trusted in education and business sectors, and Pangram has proven this out time and time again,” added Spero.

Pangram has released summaries of four independent, university-backed studies of AI detection technology showing that Pangram’s technology is the most accurate in the market. 

Emi and Spero have master’s degrees in computer science from Stanford University, where they met as undergraduates. Before founding Pangram, Emi was a machine learning engineer at Tesla, and Spero was an AI engineer at Google.

About Pangram

​Pangram Labs is the technology leader in AI detection systems, surpassing other detection providers in accuracy, reliability, and information delivery. Pangram’s detection systems are relied on by thousands of businesses, primarily for assessing and addressing public reviews of products and services, many of which are compromised by AI. Founded by classmates at Stanford University, Pangram is gaining market traction in education as the high-accuracy alternative for assessing the authenticity of student work. Follow Pangram on LinkedIn.

Subscribe to edCircuit to stay up to date on all of our shows, podcasts, news, and thought leadership articles.

American Library Association (ALA) Conference – PHILADELPHIA – To help public libraries across the U.S. and Canada deliver consistent, high-impact programming for older adults and meet their strategic priorities, Gale, part of Cengage Group, has partnered with GetSetUp as an exclusive provider for libraries. GetSetUp is a frictionless platform offering live and on-demand classes that improve wellness, teach digital literacy, and foster social connections. Gale Presents: GetSetUp–which empowers aging adults through engaging, peer-led learning experiences–is the latest addition to Gale’s Adult Online Learning Suite, a collection of resources that help public libraries bring education to everyone.

ST. PAUL, Minn. & CHARLOTTE, N.C.  (Wednesday, June 25, 2025) – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist) top 10 finalists. As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for an exclusive mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” 

The top 10 2025 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists are as follows (in alphabetical order by last name): 

• Shrey Arora, Collierville, TN, West Collierville Middle School, Collierville Schools 

• Divyam Desai, Frisco, TX, Hunt Middle School, Frisco Independent School District (FISD) 

• Kiyara Gunawardena, Temecula, CA, Abby Reinke Elementary School, Temecula Valley Unified School District 

• Isha Marla, Portland, OR, Tumwater Middle School, Beaverton School District 

• Reanna Patel, Princeton, NJ, Princeton Day School, Private School 

• Sheyna Patel, Longwood, FL, Orlando Science Middle/High Charter, Orange County Public Schools 

• Anirudh Rao, Lone Tree, CO, STEM School Highlands Ranch, Douglas County School District 

• Aniket Sarkar, Sarasota, FL, Pine View School, Sarasota County Schools 

• Amaira Srivastava, Gilbert, AZ, Arizona College Prep Middle School, Chandler Unified School District 

• Kevin Tang, Hacienda Heights, CA, Cedarlane Academy, Hacienda La Puente Unified School District 

“For 18 years, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge has empowered middle school students to bring science to life,” said Torie Clarke, 3M’s executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. “This year, the nation’s brightest young minds have once again reimagined what’s possible. Congratulations to each of the top 10 finalists! I can’t wait to see how you make the world a better place.”  

To learn more about the 3M Young Scientist Challenge and meet the 2025 finalists, visit YoungScientistLab.com. 

Challenge details 

This year’s finalists – 10 students ranging in age from 11-14 – identified an everyday problem and submitted a one- to two-minute video on their proposed scientific solution. Their proposals fall under an expanded set of entry categories, including robotics, home improvement, automotive, safety, AR/VR, and climate technology.  

An esteemed group of judges, including 3M scientists and leaders in education from across the country, evaluated entries based on creativity, scientific knowledge, and communication effectiveness.  

Next steps 

Each of the 10 finalists will participate in an exclusive summer mentorship program with a 3M scientist. These mentors will provide guidance and advice to help advance their finalist’s solution. Then, from Oct. 13-14, each finalist will travel to the 3M Innovation Center in St. Paul, Minn., for the final interactive competition.  

At 3M, each finalist will participate in a series of challenges, including a presentation of their completed innovation, and be scored independently by a panel of judges. The grand prize winner will be announced, and they will receive $25,000, a unique destination trip, and the title of America’s Top Young Scientist. 

Previous winners 

Previous challenge finalists and 3M scientists have collaborated to create solutions for a wide variety of real-world problems, including cybersecurity, coral reef health, water conservation, food waste, alternative energy sources, energy consumption, air pollution, and transportation efficiency.  

The 2024 winner – 14-year-old Sirish Subash from Snellville, Georgia. – created PestiSCAND, a handheld device designed to detect pesticide residues on produce using a non-destructive method. The innovation employs spectrophotometry, which involves measuring how light of various wavelengths is reflected off the surface of fruits and vegetables. A machine-learning model then analyzes this data to determine the presence of pesticides. 

Now in its eighteenth year, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge continues to inspire and challenge middle school students to think creatively and apply the power of STEM to discover real-world solutions. Former America’s Top Young Scientists have given TED Talks, filed patents, founded nonprofits, made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, and exhibited at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine’s Kid of the Year; featured in The New York Times Magazine, Forbes, and Business Insider; and appeared on national television programs such as Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more. In addition, a 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network was formed in fall 2022 and includes more than 100 former challenge winners, finalists, and mentors, who take part in networking opportunities and more. 

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge exemplifies the power of nurturing student curiosity by preparing students for the future, today. We are delighted to celebrate these young scientists for their commitment to solving real-world problems with innovation, creativity, and ingenuity,” said Amy Nakamoto, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Partnerships at Discovery Education. 

The award-winning competition supplements the 3M and Discovery Education program Young Scientist Lab, which provides no-cost dynamic digital resources for students, teachers, and families to explore, transform, and innovate the world around them. All the resources are also available on Discovery Education Experience, the essential companion for engaged PreK-12 classrooms. 

### 

About 3M 

3M (NYSE: MMM) believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet. Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news-center. 

About Discovery Education 

Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, Pre-K-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and strategic alliances, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences that engage all students and support higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.  

Contacts 

Tim Post  
3M 
Email: tpost3@mmm.com 

Grace Maliska 
Discovery Education 
Email: gmaliska@discoveryed.com 

Subscribe to edCircuit to stay up to date on all of our shows, podcasts, news, and thought leadership articles.

Sacramento, CA—June 24, 2025—SchoolStatus, the leading provider of attendance and family engagement solutions for K-12 districts, is joining a powerhouse panel of education leaders at ASCD and ISTELive in San Antonio this July. “High School Overhaul: Educators Leading Real Change” brings together five diverse changemakers who are breaking old models and building inclusive, data-informed systems that support every student—and every educator.

Across the country, high schools are continuing to battle chronic absenteeism. Students report feeling disconnected and unseen. And educators are often working in outdated systems that weren’t designed for today’s learners. 

To tackle these challenges head-on, the panel will discuss five key shifts needed to make high school a place students want to be. 

• Redesigning high school systems and schedules
• Centering equity, well-being, and student voice
• Using disaggregated data to scale success
• Empowering teacher leadership and retention
• Building true family partnerships to combat absenteeism

Each topic includes real-world examples, a strategic question to deepen the discussion, and time for audience reflection.

“This isn’t a conversation about fixing kids,” says Dr. Josephine Salvador, Director of the New York State Master Teacher Program. “It’s about reimagining schools so that students feel safe, known, and inspired to learn—and teachers have the support and trust to lead the way.”

Meet the Panelists

• Marcus Bratton, Sr. Director, Implementation & Partnership, Colorado Education Initiative
• Dr. Terry Harris, Executive Director, The Legacy Center STL
• Dr. Josephine Salvador, Director, NY State Master Teacher Fellowship
• Dr. Jonah Schenker, Superintendent & Chief Executive Officer, Ulster BOCES District 
• Moderator: Dr. Kara Stern, Director of Education, SchoolStatus

Panelists will share actionable strategies—and challenge attendees to rethink the “why” behind the systems we’ve inherited.

“This conversation reflects our mission at SchoolStatus—to turn insights into outcomes,” said Dr. Kara Stern, Director of Education at SchoolStatus. “By integrating communication tools with student data, we break down barriers and help educators create meaningful school-home connections that improve attendance, behavior, and academic performance.”

If you’re not able to attend in person, download SchoolStatus’s free attendance and family engagement resources or get in touch to discuss how this integrated suite of solutions can help you meet district goals.

Subscribe to edCircuit to stay up to date on all of our shows, podcasts, news, and thought leadership articles.