Press Category: On the Wire

St. Paul, Minn. and Charlotte, NC. (Wednesday, May 28, 2025) – 3M (@3M) and Discovery Education (@DiscoveryEd) today announced the recipients in the 2025 Alumni Grants Program. As part of the Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network, the Alumni Grants Program supports past participants of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge (#YoungScientist).  

The 3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni Network is comprised of former 3M Young Scientist Challenge participants, ranging from middle school to PhD candidates, and individuals pursuing full-time careers. Alumni collaborate in networking events, collaborate in a scientific community, and cheer on the next generation of young scientists.  

As part of the Alumni Network, former finalists are eligible to apply for continued support through the annual Grant Awards. The Grant Awards provide additional funding for current Alumni projects such as continuation of their original entry project, a new innovation that improves upon the world with STEM, or promoting science in their community and creating the next generation of young scientists. 

The 2025 Alumni Grants Program recipients are listed below by category and including their 3M Young Scientist Challenge participation year: 

Continuation of 3M Young Scientist Challenge Project 

• Sean Jiang, Baltimore, Maryland, Infosound – A Novel Navigation Device Powered by AI and Depth-Sensing Technology for the Blind, 2023 

• Aakash Manaswi, Orlando, Florida, Evaluating the Efficacy of Novel Carbon Dioxide Spray and Pesticides Using a Convolutional Neural Network for Varroa Mite Treatment in Honeybee Colonies, 2024 

This grant supports Alumni who are interested in continuing to progress or evolve the project they originally developed during the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Each winner in this funding category receives $5,000. 

New Idea to Improve the World 

• Viraj Pandey, San Jose, CA, A Novel Triad for Clean Energy: Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation Using Graphene Quantum Dots, Titanium Dioxide, and Sunlight, 2020 

• Moitri Santra, Oviedo, Florida, Development of a Microneedle Patch Sensor for Detecting Oxytetracycline in Citrus Root Tissues, 2021 

Scientists are always exploring new ideas, and this category of funding is available to Alumni to support projects that are different from their original 3M Young Scientist Challenge innovation but have the goal of helping improve the world. Each winner in this funding category receives $2,500. 

Science in Your Community 

• Anish Kosaraju, Saratoga, California, VeriCare, 2023 

• Veda Murthy, Fairfax, Virginia, Vishnu Murthy Foundation Science in Your Community, 2021 

• Amritha Praveen, Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Amethyst Changemakers- Bridging Abilities in STEM, 2023 

• Daniel Thomas, Colleyville, Texas, Mwalimu (Swahili for Teacher), 2022 

• Harini Venkatesh, Brentwood, Hew Hampshire, STEMpower!, 2022 

3M Young Scientist Challenge Alumni are wonderful advocates for STEM in their communities! Funding can be used to support Alumni initiatives, such as community enrichment opportunities, school events, or community activation projects that help support the next generation of young scientists. Each winner in this area of funding receives $2,000. 

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge showcases the power of middle school minds to change the world. The Alumni Grant Program offers past Young Scientist Challenge participants new opportunities to follow their curiosity,” said Torie Clarke, 3M’s executive vice president and chief public affairs officer. “I’m proud of 3M’s support for this program. Congratulations to each of this year’s recipients!” 

As the nation’s premier middle school science competition, the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to compete for a mentorship with a 3M scientist, a $25,000 grand prize, and the chance to earn the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist.” America’s Top Young Scientists have gone on to give TED Talks, file patents, found nonprofits, make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange, and exhibit at the White House Science Fair. These young innovators have also been named TIME Magazine’s first 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. All previous 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists who are part of the Alumni Network were eligible to apply for an Alumni Grant. 

“The 3M Young Scientist Challenge demonstrates what can happen when students apply what is learned in the classroom to the world around them,” said Amy Nakamoto, executive vice president of marketing and corporate partnerships at Discovery Education. “These alumni are exemplars of cultivating curiosity to make the world a better place and we are excited that they are able to continue their work. Congratulations!” 

To learn more about the Alumni Grants Program, the 3M Young Scientist Challenge, and to find supporting resources, visit YoungScientistLab.com. 

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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, PK-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 

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Charlotte, NC (Wednesday, May 21, 2025)—Oregon’s Tillamook School District 9 (TSD) today announced that it has selected a suite of engaging edtech resources from Discovery Education to enhance science instruction in grades K-6. Discovery Education is the creator of essential K-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world.  

Located in coastal Northwest Oregon, TSD’s seven schools and one virtual academy serve approximately 2,100 students. Guided by the district’s mission to prepare students with the academic, artistic, and social skills necessary to become positive contributors to a changing world, TSD’s talented team creates a learning environment that offers extensive programs and services while maintaining the ability to provide personalized instruction to all learners. 

To continue TSD’s ability provide rich, yet personalized learning experiences to students and to meet the district’s goal of challenging and engaging all learners through multiple pathways, TSD sought to enhance its existing K-6 science curriculum with a suit of modern, classroom-tested, hands-on digital resources. Following a rigorous review of available solutions, TSD selected: 

• Discovery Education Experience. The essential companion for engaged classrooms, Discovery Education Experience is a supplemental cross-curricular digital resource that inspires teachers and motivates students. Designed expressly for K-12 schools, Experience delivers all-in-one, ready-to-teach lessons and strategies, exciting career exploration resources, standards-aligned content, and flexible tools for differentiation and assessment. Recently, Discovery Education announced a host of new enhancements to Discovery Education Experience that include new tools and resources, AI technology, career explorations, and more. 

• Discovery Education Science Techbooks. The Discovery Education Science Techbook series is a comprehensive, research-backed science solution for grades K-12. Used in classrooms across the United States, the Science Techbooks drive engagement with exclusive phenomena and interactive content. The Science Techbooks that will be used in TSD classrooms are aligned to Oregon state standards, and feature virtual and hands-on investigations, STEM activities, and instructional supports that enhance the delivery of impactful, blended instruction. The Science Techbooks also include standards connections and differentiation activities that inform instructional planning and guide three-dimensional learning. Available with the Science Techbooks are coordinated teacher guides offering unit, concept, and lesson overviews, accompanying print resources, and pre-packaged kits that make classroom activities easy to implement.   

Discovery Education’s Science Techbook is certified as meeting the rigorous, evidence-based ESSA Tier III standards as set forth in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Multiple studies show that regular use of Discovery Education Science Techbook in the classroom has many positive academic results for educators and students across a variety of districts and populations in the United States. This research and more can be found here.  

“In Tillamook, we are extremely proud of our teachers, the programs we offer, and most importantly, the learning our students accomplish,” said Jennifer Guarcello, TSD’s 
Communications/Grants/Foundation Director. “The enhancement of our K-6 science curriculum with Discovery Education’s science resources helps ensure that all of our students continue to receive an academically challenging education that meets their social and emotional need while helping them prepare for future success.”  

TSD educators using Discovery Education solutions will receive dedicated professional development  from Discovery Education’s team of professional learning experts. These learning opportunities for teachers help schools recognize the full return on their edtech investment. Through Discovery Education’s 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.    

In addition, all educators using Discovery Education’s digital resources have 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 honored to be selected to support K-6 science instruction in the Tillamook School District,” said Ashleigh Deming, Discovery Education Account Executive. “The faculty and staff of the school system are united by their mission to prepare students with the academic, artistic, and social skills necessary to become positive contributors to a changing world, and we are pleased to support their important 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, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.      

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About Discovery Education  
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, 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.  

Contact 
Stephen Wakefield 
Discovery Education 
Phone: 202-316-6615 
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com

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BOSTON – Today, Gale, part of Cengage Group, announced the launch of AI Leveler, a generative AI-powered (GenAI) tool within Gale In Context: For Educators that allows K-12 educators to adjust and personalize the reading level of instructional content for each student. 

AI Leveler provides a safe and convenient way for K–12 educators to efficiently adapt Gale educational resources, enabling personalized learning that improves reading comprehension. This personalization is crucial, especially as the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reports that 1 in 3 American students fail to demonstrate basic, age-appropriate reading skills.

“Educators are at the heart of learning, and our focus is on giving them the tools they need to personalize instruction and drive student success,” said Darren Person, Chief Digital Officer at Cengage Group. “With AI Leveler, we’re enabling educators to tailor instruction at scale—especially in critical areas like reading and STEM—while maintaining full control over content quality and the classroom experience. Adjustments to reading levels can be made discreetly, respecting student privacy and allowing learners to engage with material at the level that suits them best. We developed this tool based on direct educator feedback to ensure it supports efficient, safe, and high-quality instruction tailored to individual student needs.”

AI Leveler helps educators deliver tailored scaffolding to students to address gaps in reading comprehension. This approach enables more learners to engage with grade-level concepts while building and strengthening their skills. Unlike some standalone AI tools that generate content, AI Leveler does not create instructional material. Instead, it works exclusively with trusted, authored and sourced content from Gale, helping personalize how that content is delivered. This ensures source transparency and keeps high-quality, curriculum-aligned materials at the center of the learning experience.

Key features include:

• Customizable Text Levels: Educators can adjust Gale content to 12 different Lexile reading levels, allowing educators to modify text complexity on demand and create multiple leveled versions of the same resource for each individual student. 
• Editable Results: Once content is leveled, educators can edit and customize content to their exact needs. This enables educators to add formatting and headings to support student comprehension, remove sections of content that aren’t relevant to their instruction or ensure vocabulary needed for the lesson is incorporated into the text. 
• Auto-Generated Citation: Every modified resource includes a citation that notes AI-assisted adjustments for transparency and proper sourcing, which is critical for information literacy.

AI Leveler is part of Cengage Group’s broader commitment to advance AI and machine learning technologies to personalize learning, improve student outcomes, enhance and scale the instructor experience and, ultimately, connect education to real-world careers. It follows recent launches of Cengage’s Student Assistant, Faculty Insight Dashboard and Infosec’s Skills Navigator, all of which are AI-powered tools designed to enhance the human element of education.

“At Cengage Group, we continue to evolve learning and prioritize technologies like GenAI to reimagine what’s possible for both educators and learners,” said Person. “Improving and enhancing learning outcomes – with the help of personalized learning tools – is our main priority, and GenAI-powered enhancements, like AI Leveler, allow educators to strategically and safely personalize learning to improve reading comprehension. We want educators to feel empowered to change the trajectory of learning for each student in a safe, controlled environment, and AI Leveler is just one example of how we’re making that a reality. We look forward to introducing this product to our customers and continuing to complement their teaching efforts with tools that will help them continue making a difference in the classroom.”  

Integrated directly into Gale In Context: For Educators, the tool allows educators to save and assign this adapted content through platforms such as Google Classroom, Canvas and Schoology. The AI Leveler beta release also leverages AI techniques to strengthen the “Find Resources by Standard” tool to provide better alignment between standards and content. 

Gale In Context: For Educators is an award-winning instructional tool developed by curriculum experts that merges current, relevant, standards-aligned content with rich lesson plans. 

For more information about Gale and its new AI Leveler tool, visit the product webpage.

About Cengage Group 

Cengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education. Visit us at www.cengagegroup.com or find us on LinkedIn or X.

About Gale 

Gale, part of Cengage Group, believes in the power and joy of learning. For schools, the company helps drive positive outcomes by providing essential, curriculum-aligned content that empowers educators to solve curriculum challenges and meet students where they are. Gale’s K-12 offerings extend from educational databases and custom eBook collections to instructional tools and professional development resources. For more information, please visit: www.gale.com/schools.

Follow Gale on:

• Twitter

• Gale Blog

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Instagram
• YouTube

Media Contact:

Emily Featherson, Vice President, Corporate Communications
Email: emily.featherston@cengage.com  

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San Francisco, Calif. – June 5, 2025 – Districts across New York, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Maryland are partnering with ClassDojo for Districts to strengthen communication and deepen family engagement across their schools.

Already used by more than 45 million families and teachers worldwide, ClassDojo is a trusted classroom tool. Now, ClassDojo for Districts brings that same connection and ease to entire school systems—with tools built to scale, support multilingual communities, and meet the highest privacy standards.

New districts joining the ClassDojo for Districts community include:    

•  Lynchburg (VA) City Schools
• Manor ISD, Edgewood ISD, Laredo ISD, and Ysleta ISD (TX)
• Pittsburgh (PA) Public Schools
• Alamosa (CO) School District
• Sylvania (OH) Schools
• Charleston (SC) County Schools
• Diocese of Rockville (MD) Schools
• Linden (NY) Public Schools

ClassDojo for Districts offers:

• One communication platform across all schools
• Automatic translation in 130+ languages
• Districtwide messaging, announcements, and updates
• Admin-level controls for oversight and alignment
• Seamless integration with SIS, SSO, and rosters
• Industry-leading proactive approach to data privacy
• FERPA and COPPA compliance, plus the Common Sense Privacy Seal for Districts

“As we wrap up our first year as a ClassDojo for Districts partner, one of the biggest benefits has been the ability to create a more unified communication experience across our schools,” said Will Herring, Assistant Director of Technology, Moore County Schools in North Carolina. “ClassDojo was already widely used and well regarded in our classrooms, so it made sense to build on that foundation at the district level. Just as important is the data—we’re no longer sending messages into a void. Now we can see when families are engaging—and that insight is shaping everything from parent engagement strategies to our broader school improvement plans.”

“Our goal is to make it easy for every family to stay informed, feel welcome, and be involved—without adding more work for educators,” said Dr. Chad A. Stevens, ClassDojo’s Head of K12 Engagement. “We’re proud to support districts that are building stronger communities around their students by helping district leaders improve communication, streamline tools, and better connect with every family.”

To learn more, visit: www.classdojo.com/districts

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About ClassDojo for Districts
ClassDojo is on a mission to give every child an education they love. Already used by over 45 million families and teachers around the world, ClassDojo helps schools build strong, connected communities. ClassDojo for Districts brings this connection to the whole school system—helping leaders reach every family, reduce absences, improve student behavior, and ensure consistent communication across schools. Districts gain the oversight they need with tools like rostering, SSO, and SIS integration, plus simple ways to celebrate students, share updates, and keep families in the loop—all in a platform teachers already love. And it’s free for teachers, schools, and districts.

Press inquiries: press@classdojo.com

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BOSTON (May 28, 2025) – Safeguarding student data is a top priority for K-12 districts and schools. To support educators in meeting complex data privacy regulations, Lexia, a Cambium Learning Group brand, today announced that three of its digital curriculum solutions – Lexia Core5 Reading, Lexia PowerUp Literacy, and Lexia English Language Development – have earned iKeepSafe Data Privacy Certifications.

Lexia Core5 Reading,  Lexia PowerUp Literacy, and Lexia English Language Development have earned the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) certification and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) certification from iKeepSafe. iKeepSafe is a nonprofit that provides third-party assessment and certifies digital products as compliant with state and federal requirements for handling protected personal information.

The iKeepSafe FERPA Certification demonstrates compliance with the federal mandates as well as iKeepSafe’s rigorous guidelines. The iKeepSafe COPPA Safe Harbor Certification program ensures that practices surrounding the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of personal information from children under the age of 13 are consistent with the principles and requirements of COPPA.

“Lexia is dedicated to adhering to data privacy standards, and we are proud that our solutions are now iKeepSafe certified,” said Lexia President Nick Gaehde. “This independent verification not only makes it easier for districts and schools to find trusted solutions for their classrooms, but it allows them to show families that the programs students use are safe and secure.”

Lexia Core5 Reading, Lexia PowerUp Literacy, and Lexia English Language Development help all students read, write, and speak with confidence. Each product is backed by a diverse and comprehensive body of evidence.

About Lexia

Lexia®, a Cambium Learning® Group brand, is transforming literacy education, driving change in 1 of every 3 school districts across the United States. For more than 40 years, Lexia has been a thought leader in literacy education, delivering award-winning, research-based solutions grounded in the science of reading. With a full spectrum of offerings, including professional learning, curriculum, and embedded assessment tools, Lexia provides educators with Structured Literacy solutions that are proven effective and designed to drive meaningful literacy outcomes. By empowering educators with unparalleled ease of use and the knowledge and tools they need, Lexia helps more students unlock their potential to read, write, and speak with confidence. For more information, visit lexialearning.com.

About Cambium Learning Group

Cambium Learning Group is the education essentials company, providing award-winning education technology and services for K-12 educators and students. With an intentional collection of respected global brands, Cambium serves as a leader, helping millions of educators and students feel more seen, valued, and supported every day. In everything it does, the company focuses on the elements that are most essential to the success of education, delivering simpler, more certain solutions that make a meaningful difference right now. To learn more, visit www.cambiumlearning.com or follow Cambium on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. The Cambium family of brands includes: Cambium Assessment®, Lexia®, Learning A-Z®, ExploreLearning®, and Time4Learning®.

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Media Contacts

Sabrina Leon, Lexia PR Manager

sabrina.leon@lexialearning.com

Charlotte Andrist, Nickel Communications

charlotte@nickelcommpr.com

Media Inquiries Only: 770-310-5244

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Sacramento, CA—June 4, 2025—With nearly 30% of K-12 students nationwide chronically absent from school, districts are in desperate need of effective solutions. Addressing this urgent challenge has earned SchoolStatus the prestigious “Best Overall IT Solution Provider for the Education Market” award in the 2025 EdTech Breakthrough Awards. The company’s integrated suite of solutions help educators connect with families and get students back in classrooms at more than double the national improvement rate.

Award Highlights

• Recognition: Best Overall IT Solution Provider for the Education Market from EdTech Breakthrough
• Selected from: Over 2,700 global nominations across multiple categories
• Educator Impact: Districts using SchoolStatus achieved a 22% reduction in chronic absenteeism compared to the national rate of just 7.22%

The award specifically acknowledges SchoolStatus’s breakthrough in transforming siloed school data into actionable insights that drive personalized communication at scale—directly addressing the critical disconnection between schools and families.

SchoolStatus has demonstrated measurable results across thousands of school districts nationwide:

• Attendance Improvement: Districts using SchoolStatus outperform national averages, returning an additional 17,000 students to classrooms for every million served
• Intervention Effectiveness: On average, 54% of students in partner districts return to school after just one intervention

Dramatic Turnarounds 

Roseville City School District, serving over 10,000 students across 18 schools in California, achieved a remarkable 70% reduction in chronic absenteeism, dropping from 26% to 7.75% in just two years of working with SchoolStatus. This transformation represents hundreds of previously disengaged students now regularly attending class.

Sheldon Independent School District in the Houston area, reduced chronic absenteeism from 18.15% in the 2022-23 school year to 13.18% as of May 2025—a 27.38% reduction. The district has documented meetings with over 4,000 families regarding the importance of attendance.

Grand Prairie Independent School District in Dallas County, Texas, has decreased chronic absenteeism from 23.99% in the 2022-23 school year to 18.47% as of May 2025, a 23.01% decrease.

The judges at EdTech Breakthrough evaluated over 2,700 submissions and highlighted SchoolStatus’s standout features:

• Evidence-Based Framework: A multi-tiered approach that addresses both prevention and intervention through universal messaging, early identification of at-risk students, and targeted support
• Accessibility-Focused Design: Automatic translation, app-free communication options, and comprehensive data analysis that ensure all families can engage regardless of language or technology access
• Unified Ecosystem: The first platform to truly integrate attendance management, communications, and educator development into a cohesive system that eliminates data silos

“Roseville’s success story is not an outlier,” said Dr. Joy Smithson, Data Scientist at SchoolStatus. “We’ve seen similar transformative results across districts of all sizes and demographics. When schools can identify attendance issues early, communicate effectively with families in their preferred language, and track interventions in real-time, we consistently see dramatic improvements in student attendance and engagement.”

The mission of the EdTech Breakthrough Awards is to celebrate innovation, inspire progress, and foster excellence. This recognition from EdTech Breakthrough underscores SchoolStatus’s position as a pioneer in the education technology sector and as the go-to partner for attendance management. Educators interested in achieving similar results can learn more at www.schoolstatus.com.

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