Before COVID-19 upended our lives, Sierra Nevada Journeys had decided to take a close look at its science education programming and make improvements to ensure it is as equitable and inclusive as possible. Though the pandemic changed many plans, the education team at Sierra Nevada Journeys persisted in this effort, embarking on a revision informed by a community needs assessment in December of 2020. They interviewed and surveyed dozens of teachers, students, and community-based organization staff to determine how to best serve youth with the least access to hiqh-quality STEM education and outdoor experiences; namely, Black, Latinx, Indigenous, English Language Learners, and students with intellectual and physical disabilities. The findings were compiled and presented in this report, and results were used to revise its elementary programming, Classrooms Unleashed, including all of the grade-level designed programs: Nature’s Transformers (first grade); Genius Plants (second grade, CA); Matter Matters (second grade); Habits and Habitats (third grade); Our Amazing Earth (fourth grade); Hands-in-the-River (fifth grade); and Sculpting the Earth (sixth grade, CA).
The education team worked hard during the summer of 2021 to revise the program, and Sierra Nevada Journeys educators began piloting the improved curriculum in August, 2021. Important changes include the increased use of visual aids, language and vocabulary supports, including the incorporation of body motions when teaching key vocabulary, the featuring of relevant, local phenomena, and introducing youth to influential scientists of color. Early results indicate that the revisions were worth the effort. One teacher reported, “It really made them think about a topic they haven’t really thought much about. The kids loved it and learned so much!” The education team plans to review teacher program evaluations and student assessments from the pilot phase and make further revisions as necessary.
Thank You for Your Support
Thank you for your support of the Community Needs Assessment, curriculum development and delivery of Classrooms Unleashed to students: Sacramento Municipal Utility District -SMUD, Renown Health and Nevada STEM Networks.