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]]>The Discovery Education Awards honor districts, schools, and educators who make a notable impact on student achievement by inspiring engagement and curiosity. Selected through a competitive nomination and application process, the 2025 winners exemplify a commitment to fostering student growth for a dynamic future.
The DE Educator of the Year Award winners share a remarkable passion for inspiring their students and creating engaging learning environments. Though their teaching methods vary, they all demonstrate a strong commitment to innovation and adaptability as they mentor peers, develop impactful programs, and champion lifelong learning.
Dr. Sequoyah Wharton is an art and media educator who believes in creating student-centered learning that connects to real-world issues, inspiring collaboration, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. Through projects like documentary filmmaking, digital storytelling, and hands-on artwork, he empowers students to tell their own stories.
Over the years, Dr. Wharton has refined his teaching philosophy to prioritize student agency, ensuring every learner feels seen and valued. A standout achievement is the development of a digital filmmaking program in partnership with PBS Student Reporting Labs, which has amplified student voices and strengthened media literacy.
Dr. Wharton cultivates a collaborative learning environment by building strong connections with students and families. For him, teaching is not just delivering content — it’s empowering students to express their identities and leave a lasting impact on the world around them.
Emma DeVine is a middle school science teacher dedicated to showing students the everyday relevance of science. Emma uses hands-on experiments, inquiry-based learning, and the Harkness discussion method to foster curiosity and real-world connections. By weaving storytelling into lessons, Emma celebrates unsung scientists, fostering diverse perspectives and inspiring students to see themselves as part of the scientific community.
She has crafted unique learning experiences, such as guiding students through neuroscience research by experimenting with fruit flies to study feeding behaviors. Emma has also led impactful initiatives like citizen science events and developing curricula as a CDC Science Ambassador Fellow, providing students with meaningful opportunities to address real-world challenges.
Emma cultivates positive relationships with students and their families through open communication and encouragement. Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, she continually refines her teaching strategies to meet the diverse needs of her students. Emma’s teaching inspires the next generation of changemakers to approach science with critical thinking, enthusiasm, and curiosity.
Annissa Grimes, an Academy of Health and Bio Instructor, is committed to creating impactful, hands-on learning experiences. Whether guiding students through simulated phlebotomy using prosthetic arms or hosting financial literacy games, Annissa fosters an engaging environment that encourages critical thinking and real-world application.
One standout project, “The Paternity Show,” blends the societal implications of paternity court with a hands-on DNA lab simulation. By involving students, staff, and faculty, the activity enhances understanding of science and psychology, while building a collaborative community.
Annissa continuously refines her teaching methods through self-assessments, adapting to diverse learning styles, and championing lesson planning that meets the needs of all learners. Above all, Annissa values strong relationships. By hosting senior breakfasts, holiday gatherings, and celebrating personal milestones, she creates a supportive “village” for students and families.
With nearly two decades of experience in education, science teacher Josephine Mesina has earned a reputation as an exceptional STEM educator. Whether leading physics experiments, mentoring international STEM projects, or facilitating meaningful discussions, Josephine inspires students to tackle real-world challenges.
Josephine’s teaching philosophy focuses on empowering multilingual learners and ensuring equal access to STEM education. She employs strategies like phenomenon-based learning and claim-evidence-reasoning (CER) to help students think critically and communicate effectively. Josephine has served as a STEM Fair Coordinator, Science Department Chair, and DoD STEM Ambassador, drawing on her experience as an immigrant to connect deeply with students and fellow educators.
Josephine’s ability to nurture belonging and inspire growth has earned her accolades such as the Excellence in Mentorship Award and widespread admiration from peers and students. All in all, she ensures her classroom remains a vibrant hub of innovation, curiosity, and opportunity.
Special Education teacher Seyyed Sharifi creates dynamic, student-centered learning environments where every learner can thrive. Understanding that traditional teaching methods may not meet the needs of all learners, he integrates creativity and technology into his classroom to captivate and engage students.
Seyyed has implemented programs such as structured job skills training and at-home learning initiatives, as well using virtual reality to explore space, historical landmarks, and virtual job sites with students. His differentiated approach ensures all students, regardless of ability, can actively participate and succeed.
He also emphasizes strong home-school partnerships to create a support network that benefits both students and their loved ones. Honored with awards like Teacher of the Year and the Excel Award, Seyyed is celebrated for his innovative methods that empower every student in his classroom to shine.
The DE Schools of the Year work tirelessly to empower every student to realize their full potential and prepare confidently for the future. Below, we celebrate the inspiring journeys and accomplishments of three outstanding schools named “School of the Year,” showcasing the pinnacle of education through creativity and dedication.
Guided by a holistic philosophy, Autism Inspired Academy (AIA) empowers children with autism to thrive academically, socially, emotionally, and independently. The school’s mission is rooted in fostering a life of meaning, purpose, and joy for every student, ensuring education transcends the classroom and prepares them for real-world success.
At AIA, education is personalized and innovative, with small class sizes, individualized learning plans, and a dedicated team of highly trained educators. The school integrates research-based autism education strategies with hands-on experiences to address every aspect of student development. Whether through academic instruction, life skills coaching, or community initiatives, AIA meets each student where they are and helps them unlock their full potential.
Success at AIA is defined by growth in all areas of life. Students build friendships, gain independence, and equip themselves with the skills they need to thrive. By combining comprehensive assessments, targeted support, and family involvement, AIA delivers results that transform not just students’ lives but also the lives of their families. With a waitlist of over 100 students, AIA’s impact and demand highlight its essential role in the broader autism education landscape.
Montana Digital Academy (MTDA) is Montana’s statewide online learning program, ensuring every student across the Big Sky State has equal access to high-quality education. MTDA was established by the State of Montana to bridge the gaps in educational opportunities created by geographic, economic, or staffing challenges. It offers an innovative suite of digital programs for students in both rural and urban communities.
The MTDA mission is simple but far-reaching: to provide every Montana student, regardless of location or circumstance, with the tools, support, and pathways needed to thrive in an increasingly complex world. Through flexibility, technology, and collaboration, MTDA doesn’t just teach students; it empowers them to chart their own course toward success.
Fairfield Career and Technology Center (FCTC) is a vibrant hub grounded in the belief that every student can achieve excellence with the right resources and support they need to succeed. Through its mission of delivering the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience for college and career readiness, FCTC sets a high benchmark for preparing students to thrive in a competitive global society. The school’s vision—“Where Dreams are Born and Careers Begin!”—reflects its dedication to inspiring ambition and cultivating talent through innovative, immersive education.
FCTC supports students with a wide range of career training programs aligned to their unique interests and aspirations. Students can earn industry certifications and gain real-world experience, growing in confidence and skills tailored to their career interests. FCTC provides a strong foundation to many high-demand fields such as Health Science, Culinary Arts, Mechatronics, and Welding. Additional resources like mentorship opportunities, student organizations, and business partnerships ensure that every learner has a bright future.
The Districts of the Year for 2025 are redefining public education. Their innovative efforts are driven by collaboration and a commitment to ensuring all students are empowered to succeed. Today we celebrate these districts as a beacon of strong leadership and resolve.
The second largest in the nation, the Los Angeles Unified School District enrolls more than 520,000 students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. Los Angeles Unified stands as a national model of equity, excellence, and innovation, committed to uplifting every student and expanding access to transformative learning opportunities. With a steadfast focus on eliminating educational inequities, the district empowers all students to graduate prepared for college, career, and life. Rooted in a whole-child approach, the district embraces the rich diversity of its communities by addressing the academic, social-emotional, and cultural needs of every learner.
Los Angeles Unified leads with innovation and vision. Strategic initiatives such as on-demand tutoring, expanded enrichment programs, and targeted supports reflect the district’s proactive and student-centered mindset. By leveraging data and fostering collaborative partnerships, the district equips educators to close opportunity gaps and cultivate inclusive, high-performing classrooms. Los Angeles Unified celebrates gains in graduation rates and academic achievement, while remaining firmly committed to reimagining public education and ensuring that every student thrives.
The Baldwin County Public School System is an innovative and forward-thinking district serving over 31,000 students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Baldwin County combines cutting-edge technology with a supportive learning environment to prepare all students for college and career readiness. By promoting high expectations and providing tailored resources, Baldwin County empowers students to reach their full potential.
The district goes beyond traditional education, offering real-world experiences and industry credentials through initiatives like the nationally recognized digital learning program and Baldwin Preparatory Academy, to close achievement gaps and enhance student outcomes. Proudly living by their motto, #BaldwinProud #CommunityStrong, the district also collaborates with communities to inspire and prepare students for bright futures, cementing its legacy as a 21st-century education leader.
Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) is deeply committed to nurturing both the academic and personal growth of its students. The district’s vision—”to empower all students, parents, staff, and community partners to work together for global connections, innovative opportunities, and a transformational culture”—reflects its dedication to preparing students for a dynamic and interconnected world.
NCPS ensures the success of every student through a robust support system built under its Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). This framework delivers academic, emotional, and career-oriented programs to address the diverse needs of the district’s students. The district’s achievements include a significant leap in statewide rankings, a steady increase in literacy benchmarks, and recognition of schools for growth and achievement. By bridging academic rigor, social responsibility, and data-driven improvement, Nash County Public Schools defines success as more than just numbers—it’s about fostering an environment where every student can discover and reach their full potential.
As Teacher Appreciation week starts, we are excited to celebrate the impact all educators have on students and recognize the many ways they nurture and inspire students. Thank you to all educators working hard to help students grow and a special congratulations to the educators, schools, and districts honored with Discovery Education Awards!
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]]>Every student is a math student. That’s why DreamBox is dedicated to personalizing learning to meet every learner’s unique needs. We’ve worked closely with dedicated educators and their students to learn how we can continue building on this work with new product enhancements that remove more barriers to math engagement for every student. Students will notice improved opportunities to access and engage in the program, making the math experience more enjoyable for all.
Research demonstrates that when students are meaningfully and regularly engaged in DreamBox, it can drive real learning growth.
Access to great learning experiences is in our DNA, and we aim to set a whole new standard. To go beyond just compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards, we have worked together with teachers, special education experts, and students with disabilities to deliver product improvements that make the experience more equitable and effective for all students.
With DreamBox every student is empowered to independently engage in interactive problem-solving— equipped with access to the tools and mathematical vocabulary they need, in the way they need them— so they can develop conceptual understanding, apply a variety of strategies, and gain competence and confidence in mathematical reasoning and skills. K-5 lessons now include:
Compatibility with assistive technology tools such as magnification and screen reader.
Screen reader with enhanced alternative descriptions supports concept understanding and streamlines problem-solving for students with limited and low vision.
See how a student with limited vision can work independently in DreamBox.
Easy-to-tap, -move, and -place elements ease interaction and accommodate a variety of devices, physical needs, and learning styles.
Intuitive keyboard navigation lets students know where they are on the lesson page and within the manipulative.
Clear visuals enable students with low vision and color blindness to distinguish selectable foreground elements from the background.
In addition to these exciting updates, the team is ensuring that all lessons have the ability to replay instructions so that students can easily refer back to the task at hand.
We’ve channeled the enthusiasm that last year’s updates to the Clocks lessons generated. This year, we are pleased to announce a major update to our Racecourse lessons.
In this lesson, students learn to represent equivalent fractions as part of a whole, using proportional reasoning to ensure their car reaches its destination. A number line is represented as a course where students place distance markers and add stops at equivalent distances along the way.
Guided by student and teacher feedback, we made a series of improvements that make it easier for students to get started and interact with the manipulative as they progress through this lesson.
A new “Road Trip” context is more relatable for students and makes the tasks clearer.
Numbered intervals along the course allow for easier skip counting and streamlines the problem-solving process.
Meters deplete and refill to provide visual feedback on station placement as the car now moves along the course.
Larger visuals and more space make it easier for touchscreen (and all) users to place markers along the course.
Clearer instructions and updated scaffolding ensure students have support and meaningful feedback as they progress through the lesson.
When you put all of this together, it makes a profound difference in the student experience. This is reflected in students’ reactions.
We’re not stopping here. We are committed to making every moment matter more in DreamBox Math, to ensure each student can work in their own place, progress at their own pace, experience joy, and gain confidence on their individual journeys toward mathematical excellence.
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]]>At Discovery Education, we are always looking to meet educator’s needs. Educators require flexible, reliable, and high-quality services that fit in wherever learning takes place and really ignite student curiosity. We know that when students have early exposure to careers, it transforms how they explore and enter the workforce. Yet research shows that 83% of today’s learners can’t connect the skills they have and learn in school to future employment. Career Connect represents a new model in education in which career awareness and exposure start as a first stitch in the fabric of learning.
We’re offering a new solution that will drive student engagement by helping both educators and private sector partners better connect students to real-life experiences.
Career Connect is a groundbreaking new platform that connects educators to the industries, people, and skills that power our world. Career Connect breaks down barriers between companies and classrooms, directly connecting Discovery Education’s educators to our partners’ workforce like never before.
With Career Connect, teachers can request virtual classroom visits from industry professionals based on job types, industries, language preferences, and location. In addition, this new digital platform provides companies with a unique workforce development and employee engagement solution that supports their social impact strategy. Initial partners include Sanofi and Genentech whose workforce volunteers are currently on the platform ready to connect with educators.
Discovery Education is the worldwide education technology leader. Our K-12 team works to provide access to cutting-edge, multi-media curricular tools to our global audience of 4.5 million educators and 45 million students.
At Discovery Education, our work is amplified through private sector partnerships with over 75 like-minded companies and organizations bringing concepts of industry (like biotechnology, aerospace, modern agriculture, manufacturing, automotive, etc.) through no-cost, standards-aligned digital resources. With over 25 years of bringing innovative instructional tools and support to classrooms globally alongside industry-leading organizations, Discovery Education is the only organization with the existing infrastructure and educator trust to deliver such an ambitious reimagining of education.
We are always looking for ways for our partners to shed light on their industry and the durable skills needed to compete in today’s global market. Career Connect brings that to scale and empowers employees to feel the intrinsic value of leveraging their unique story to make a difference. Organizations partnering with Discovery Education to bring Career Connect are poised to improve employee engagement by simplifying skills-based volunteerism and offering employees rewarding experiences. Research demonstrates that employee volunteerism increases engagement, productivity, and overall sense of company mission.
And, for students, they learn the ‘why’ behind what they are learning in school in order to build on their transferrable skills as they grow in life and in their careers. Career Connect will assist with career exploration, equipping students with connections to the skills and knowledge they need to pursue their desired careers effectively by introducing them to the industry professionals they want to become. It’s an invaluable resource that helps classrooms explore different industries and career paths, ultimately helping them make informed decisions about their futures.
Today’s K-12 educators are in desperate need of meaningful and easy-to-implement career connectivity options. Likewise, the private sector seeks to build a future-ready workforce, highlight career opportunities, and drive social impact. Career Connect is the solution.
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]]>There are fewer pages to turn in the 2024 calendar, and as we head into 2025, the Discovery Education team has identified key trends that will shape how students learn, how teachers teach, and how administrators make decisions. These insights aren’t just predictions—they’re paired with actionable insights to help create impactful learning in the new year.
2024 was full of conversations on keeping students engaged in learning and, in 2025, a focus on student engagement will continue to be a top priority.
In Discovery Education’s 2024 Education Insights Report, 15% of parents stated lack of interest or motivation for learning is a primary reason for student absences, second only to health-related issues. Chronic student absenteeism is a national issue, and as the challenge to keep learners attentive and invested continues to intensify in 2025, districts will focus on investing in engagement-focused solutions to empower teachers to build lessons that leave students curious and inspired.
Throughout the next year, gamified learning platforms, interactive digital assets, Augmented and Virtual Reality technology, and immersive learning experiences are expected to take center stage. These tools are capable of capturing and holding students’ attention while promoting deeper learning outcomes.
Gamified learning platforms, interactive digital assets, and immersive learning experiences are expected to take center stage in 2025. These tools will help educators build unique learning experiences that capture and hold students’ attention while promoting deeper learning outcomes.
In our 2024 Education Insights survey, 80% of students reported that they believe content that connects to real-world experiences is important for long-term success and day-to-day learning. In 2025,
This continued desire for career exploration will cause the line between core instructional materials and supplemental resources to continue to blur—and for good reason. Educators and policy leaders are now leveraging resources that focus more on career exploration and building future-ready skills. Supplemental resources are being introduced to bridge the gaps in students’ different learning journeys, offer tailored materials to better differentiate instruction, create interest-based lessons, and keep students engaged in the overall learning process.
Our 2024 Education Insights Report shows that two-thirds of teachers feel that students exhibit a wider range in knowledge and skills compared to five years ago, reflecting persistent learning loss among many students. Additionally, 81% of teachers find navigating these varied skill levels challenging. These skill level differences have created a larger need for personalization tools to address each student’s needs in real time. Educators will continue to seek out solutions that focus on reading and math intervention and acceleration by meeting learners where they are, differentiate instruction, allow self-paced learning, and integrate scalable best practices. Educators can prepare by exploring platforms and tools that emphasize personalization and by developing strategies to incorporate them effectively in their classrooms.
2025 is set to be another game-changing year for education with exciting opportunities for educators and leaders to adapt, innovate, and positively impact all students.
For district and state administrators, the upcoming challenge lies in prioritizing investments that maximize outcomes while aligning with your school system’s unique needs. Focusing on engagement, personalization, and mindful technology integration can ensure students and teachers thrive together throughout 2025.
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]]>The CHS Foundation and Discovery Education have expanded their educational partnership by launching HARVEST: From Seed to Success, a gamified learning experience designed to engage students in agriculture and cooperative business. As part of the ongoing Cooperative Minds program, this new digital resource provides students with a hands-on, interactive experience that deepens their understanding of essential industry roles and the cooperative business model.
Building on the success of “The Power of Cooperatives” Virtual Field Trip and its in-depth Career Profiles, the program now brings the learning experience into a virtual, browser-based environment. Students step into the role of a co-op farmer-owner, navigating the complexities of growing crops, working with ag professionals, and managing key decisions—all while gaining insight into how cooperative businesses function.
In today’s rapidly evolving economy, the need for students to develop practical, industry-relevant skills is more pressing than ever. As students test soil, choose crops, and time their harvests, they are not only learning the fundamentals of agriculture but also practicing decision-making, problem-solving, and teamwork in a real-world context.
Programs like Cooperative Minds are instrumental in providing students with a sense of what it takes to succeed in industries like agriculture and beyond. By simulating the roles of professionals such as agronomists and co-op leaders, HARVEST opens students’ eyes to career paths that they may not have previously considered. The gamified approach to learning enables students to experiment with their choices and see the outcomes of their decisions in real time—lessons that can be transferred to various other ‘fields’.
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]]>Augmented Reality (AR) is technology that blurs the line between the digital and the real world. Using AR in education to replace a tabletop with a mountain range or the school hallway with the surface of the moon lets students interact with their surroundings in entirely new, immersive ways. Read on to go behind the scenes with the makers of Discovery Education’s AR experiences, Phil and Dan Birchinall and check out Discovery Education’s collection of augmented reality apps and other immersive experiences on our Immersive Learning hub.
Phil: In the early 1990s, I started working in inner city schools in Manchester, teaching children from very diverse backgrounds as part of a technology project run by the UK government. Although at the time we were placing state of the art technology into the hands of teachers and students, it often failed to sustain engagement beyond the initial excitement. It was clear that a deeper understanding of engagement and newer ways to use the undeniable power of education technology to deliver it were needed. After developing projects that had technology-mediated storytelling at their heart, the students across the school district began to show a strong attachment to the subjects being taught, and an equally strong desire to go deeper into them. Teachers reported that student attention, attendance, and behavior were improving. From there I worked across the city, country, and the European Union developing projects and managing innovation before co-founding Inspyro with my son Dan, who is Discovery Education’s Head of Immersive Content.
Dan: I started working in the education content space when I left university. I was lucky enough to be surrounded by cutting-edge technology when I was growing up, and in my education work I was keen to integrate technology into the learning experience. Initially this took the form of video, animations, and audio, but as soon as I saw Augmented Reality in action for the first time, I knew it was an incredible tool to deploy in the classroom. 2023 is the 10th anniversary of launching my first Augmented Reality app and I haven’t looked back since.
Phil: AR was, and still is, a misunderstood and misapplied technology in education. Too often it’s led by gadgets and gimmicks, with very little thought to the primary objective in the classroom—illuminating and inspiring learning. Technology, especially technology like AR, has a magical appeal and impact on those that use it. Any teaching and learning tool that can illicit gasps from teachers and students alike deserves a place in the classroom. We now weave these techniques into a broad range of content that we call “immersive,” based on how students and educators respond to it. Immersion is a feeling and happens on a scale; it can be purely instructional or can move you to tears of joy or sadness (and everything between).
Dan: The first time I saw Augmented Reality it felt like a glimpse of the sci-fi future Hollywood had been promising us for decades. Even in its early form, AR felt like magic. What excited me most was how AR could let us do things that no other medium could, and that’s why it’s so effective as a learning tool in the classroom. Looking ahead we’re going to see the merging of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality with headsets from leading tech companies, which will only further blend our physical and digital worlds. It’s important to note, however, that you don’t need expensive headsets to have great experiences in AR; your smartphones and tablets can deliver transformative AR experiences too (like Sandbox AR)!
Phil: We have strong guiding principles that we adhere to when making immersive content. We need to be sure that it’s worth the effort and that there is a clear focus for the content. We start by asking, “will the concept engage students?” Once we have decided that we have a good concept, it’s about designing an experience. We want the technology to draw students into the narrative or journey we have designed. This could be a narrative that contains elements that hook the user in, like episodes (as in TimePod Adventures) or the opportunity for students to create content and express themselves and their learning (like Sandbox AR). But it’s equally important to provide the standards and curriculum context to produce a successful learning outcome.
Dan: We follow one important rule when developing an Augmented Reality experience: don’t do anything that can be done better in an alternative medium. This philosophy drives the design process and ensures that our final product uses AR to its full potential. Development itself almost always begins with creating a simple prototype that demonstrates the core experience. We then build on this prototype to enhance the visuals and ensure the user experience is smooth and intuitive. We are lucky to have a core group of educators who help refine the experience and ensure it will work well in a classroom environment!
Phil: We’ve worked on some fascinating projects over the years, and it’s allowed us access to some amazing people and places. Historical exploration is a very natural application of immersive content, so we’ve found ourselves in some interesting places! We’ve been in a cold museum basement with 20 dead ancient Egyptians, crawled into small spaces to film fossilized remains of a 90-million-year-old plesiosaur, and have pushed the boundaries of photogrammetry with detailed 3D models of tiny microliths (stone tools) used 11,000 years ago that we brought back to life on Lunt Meadows, the site of one of Europe’s most important Mesolithic settlements. With Discovery Education, we’ve created simulations and models of Haul trucks the size of a house, with a full mine to explore, mapped the surface of the moon and Mars, and are currently modeling the Edge experience at Hudson Yards for DE’s first VR experience!
Dan: We‘ve been lucky enough to work on a great variety of projects using AR (and VR) from recreating ancient Mesolithic sites or transporting people to the trenches of World War I, to developing VR prototypes to improve the vision of people suffering from macular degeneration. The most exciting project for me is Sandbox AR—with Sandbox we built a toolbox for students and educators to see what amazing worlds they could create and share with each other. And they haven’t disappointed!
Phil: Any technology like Augmented Reality is driven by powerful hype cycles that cause great interest in the media and huge speculation amongst users. The current hype is around wearable technology like AR glasses. Remember Google Glass? The concept never went away and there is continued speculation around what Apple is about to bring to market this year. We keep an extremely close eye on these trends. We expect that AI will be integrated very soon into our experiences in ways that we couldn’t have imagined even months ago. Our innovation is continually driven by our users in the classroom, which helps us focus on the right thing: positive outcomes for learners and educators.
Dan: I would love to see AR being used in a collaborative manner in the classroom, with students and educators working together to build and explore new digital worlds. It’s certainly something we have on our roadmap for Sandbox AR and the possibilities are incredibly exciting!
Phil: My favorite story (which I bet Dan will tell as well) of bringing AR to education happened in 2013, ancient history in AR years. I was demonstrating to a room full of teachers how their iPad and our app could make objects appear on top of the worksheet they were using. As they used the app there was absolute astonishment and gasps around the room. Out if the corner of my eye, I spotted one teacher look around to check if anyone was watching, and when she was sure they weren’t, she carefully looked underneath the iPad to check that the 1920 London Cenotaph hadn’t materialized on the floor right there. I found that quite profound! The author Arthur C. Clarke famously said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”
Dan: Yes, that story of demonstrating our very first AR app to educators at a conference was something I’ll never forget! I noticed one teacher looked under the iPad to check we hadn’t put an object underneath it, and at that moment I knew we had something magical.
Phil: Any technology like Augmented Reality is driven by cycles of interest in the media and speculation amongst users. For us, we keep an extremely close eye on trends. As I mentioned, we can expect that AI will be integrated into our experiences soon, and in incredible ways. We keep our management and exploitation of innovation driven by our users in the classroom, so we can stay focused on positive outcomes for learners and educators.
Dan: If you’re not familiar with Augmented Reality, play with some apps first. Sandbox AR is a great demonstrator of some core AR principles and it’s also free to use! AR works best when you play to its strengths, and you can only understand that when you’re familiar with the medium. On a technical level, our development team uses Unity to build our AR experiences and we do our programming in C#. Unity is free to use for students and is also an amazing tool for making all kinds of interactive content. To those who want to learn, my only advice is to start small and learn the basics—that’s what I did!
Augmented Reality (AR) is an evolving, exciting technology reaching classrooms thanks to makers like Phil and Dan! AR can help students have powerful, immersive learning experiences not possible through other media.
Senior Director, Immersive Content
Phil has been an educator and award-winning EdTech innovation leader for over 30 years, creating and delivering high-impact content into the classroom. In 2022, he was named as one of the pioneers of immersive learning and has led regional and national education and innovation initiatives in the UK as well as across the European Union. Phil was co-founder of the award-winning immersive company Inspyro that was acquired by Discovery Education in 2019.
Head of Immersive Content
Dan is Head of Immersive Content at Discovery Education where he leads an incredibly talented team of developers making interactive content for schools. Dan has over a decade's experience building cutting-edge experiences in augmented and virtual reality and is responsible for multiple award-winning products, including Discovery Education's own Sandbox AR.
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]]>Today, Discovery Education celebrates a remarkable cohort of districts, schools, and educators recognized in the inaugural Discovery Education Awards! While the submissions were all unique, a common theme stood out: each awardee leads the way in fostering student growth and boundless learner curiosity. We had an excellent pool of worthy candidates and are thrilled to honor such deserving winners—read on to learn more about this special event.
The Educators of the Year were selected due to their clear commitment to student achievement, innovative teaching practices, and unique contributions to student learning. Congratulations to the five Discovery Education Educators of the Year!
McKenna Akane designs lessons that are interactive, relevant, and meaningful by connecting classroom concepts to real-world applications and experiences. Whether through field trips, guest speakers, or project-based learning activities, she helps students see the practical implications of what they are learning, sparking their curiosity and engagement.
Mrs. Akane has developed a proposal for a Virtual Reality (VR) project and curriculum that will truly revolutionize the way students across the country learn and interact with Montana’s Indigenous community. Working together with the University of Montana, Blackfoot Communications, and several other local partnerships, she has developed a K-12 project to provide meaningful Indian Education for All experiences. Utilizing high-powered computers and 360-degree cameras, students will reach out to Montana First Nations to record language, cultural traditions, ceremonies, and document tribal history from different Nations. In partnership with a VR education company, her students will then create VR lessons and tours and upload them to the company’s course offerings where other students across the world will be able to connect and interact with Montana’s Indigenous People virtually.
Mr. Bodgen uses a variety of materials, technology, and resources to promote the development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills in all students. Mr. Bogden has gone from creating Genius Hours in his classroom to creating a Makerspace complete with LEGO bricks, Ozobots, Makey Makeys, and two 3-D Printers! He is particularly proud of how he discussed and used green screens for a myriad of uses for students. His lessons have inspired students to apply various greens screens to create stories, provide summaries, and create reports on a variety of academic topics.
Mr. Bogden is also credited with bringing computer science and Discovery Education resources into every classroom in the school! There were many teachers who didn’t know about Discovery Education and didn’t know their students could complete many computer science projects and concepts. The innovative initiatives Mr. Bodgen has spearheaded provide real-world connections, foster curiosity, and recognize the uniqueness of each student.
Rodney Crouse captures moments to hook and leave students on the edge of their seats when he’s teaching. He finds creative and invigorating ways to take students on an amazing learning journey. He infuses content across all core subjects to make learning time meaningful for all levels of learners.
Mr. Crouse recently organized a virtual field trip touring a local museum, the Greensboro History Museum. He knew that students may not be able to see or feel the artifacts and that it was important to get them as close as possible.
The nomination for Mr. Crouse explained, “He looks for new challenges and ways to evolve as an educator. It’s like he’s on a real-time mission and looking for the schools/students who need him, and he works with district curriculum staff to create units for teacher use. When you watch him teach, he engages and connects with every learner in the process. That’s how he writes units and plans lessons—with students at the center of the learning.”
Debbie Martin inspires other teachers to utilize resources, including Discovery Education tools, to allow students to independently discover, work collaboratively, and access curriculum in a way that helps them make sense of the world. Ms. Martin takes a vested interest in all she works with, both adults and students, to ensure they have access to the highest quality instructional support and resources.
Ms. Martin led the district to increase the use of Discovery Education as a meaningful and intentional resource that drives student learning, specifically in social studies and science. Ms. Martin used her knowledge of Discovery Education tools, along with her excitement, to help teachers find valuable tools to provide direct instruction, independent discovery for students, collaborative activities, and even leveled reading.
As Ms. Martin wraps up her career as an educator, her growth is immeasurable. Her ability to coach teachers so that they are driving their own learning and discovery of resources is impeccable. Ms. Martin knows that everyone has different needs and continues to grow her strategies and resources to help others do the same!
Rita Mortenson is a technology coach who helps educators develop their capacity to use technology in equitable, creative, and meaningful ways. She loves finding creative ways to nurture student curiosity and allow them to showcase their knowledge authentically.
In the Verona Area School District, Ms. Mortenson has used Discovery Virtual Field Trips to pair high school students with various grades for collaborative learning events. After watching the virtual field trip, high school students and students from different grades engage in activities that deepen understanding and create connections. For example, after students watched the Discovery Education/LEGO Virtual Field Trip ‘Play to Learn,’ students from a neighboring elementary school came to the high school to work with a robotics class. They had an opportunity to build and play with LEGO bricks and robots.
When she first joined the Discovery Educator Network, Ms. Mortenson was an enthusiastic participant, and over time, she has evolved as a leader. She recently presented at the DENSI Summer 2023 Institute, the 2023 Fall Virtcon, the 2024 “24+ Ways to Use DE in 2024,” and has a proposal accepted at ISTE that will focus on DE Virtual Field Trips. Ms. Mortenson’s involvement with DE reflects her commitment to her own learning and her contributions to educational technology advancement in her community.
The Schools of the Year exhibit a commitment to supporting their teachers, students, and local communities with unwavering dedication. Congratulations to both of the Discovery Education Schools of the Year!
Franklin Regional Intermediate’s mission is to spark students’ ability to “Make an Impact Through Sustainable Growth”. They incorporate innovative practices enabling each student to meet their personal goals and celebrate every success, ensuring that students are motivated to grow academically, emotionally, and socially. Franklin Regional Intermediate believes that competence creates confidence. The students feel connected to the faculty, staff, and administration at Franklin Regional Intermediate and this, in turn, results in success for all.
Franklin Regional’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) practices allow teachers to meet the students exactly where they are academically. The data is analyzed weekly to determine students’ progress toward the next tier and teachers receive professional development, materials, and resources to ensure consistent practices across all grade levels and tiers of support. The Franklin Regional students are seeing a great deal of growth, exemplified by 100% of third graders exiting the most intense level of support in reading.
The Franklin Regional school librarian also provides professional development for all teachers in the building sharing media support, instructional strategies, and highlighting different digital teaching tools. The school also named “Discovery Education Digital Ambassadors,” to support teachers’ efforts in utilizing Discovery Education and other digital resources to best meet their students’ needs.
Madison Rose Lane’s mission, “Student, Staff, Community: Learning for All!”, is an indicator that every student at Madison Rose Lane will succeed. The school community works as a team to meet each student’s individual needs, support one another on their school campus, and help the larger community flourish as well.
Madison Rose Lane ensures that all students’ needs are met using a multi-layered approach. The resident social worker and counselor strive to meet the needs of the community by running social skills groups, holding individual sessions, and providing resources to the entire community. Madison Rose Lane educators also pride themselves on offering a high-quality performing arts school. For many students, it is critical for them to express themselves in an artistic way through dance, art, theater, PE, and music.
This school year, the Madison Rose Lane community has also welcomed almost 20 refugee students, providing clothing and food to new families and developing a schedule and educational programming to benefit them.
The Districts of the Year exemplify a unified mission and district-wide collaboration toward student achievement goals. Congratulations to the three Discovery Education Districts of the Year!
At Kansas City Public Schools, the core belief is that all students deserve an educational experience that allows them to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. This philosophy is reflected in the district mission statement: “Upholding the promise of an equitable educational experience so Kansas City students thrive socially, emotionally and academically.“
Kansas City Public Schools strives to create a fairer learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Through individualized support and positive school climates, each student’s unique needs are recognized and addressed. District graduation rates and standardized test scores have steadily risen in recent years, demonstrating improved student success in completing their academic journeys.
At Kansas City Public Schools, student success is defined beyond just academic achievement, as the district strives to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are prepared for life after graduation. The district offers career and technical education pathways, internships, project-based learning initiatives, and service-learning opportunities to connect classroom knowledge to real-world applications. There is also an initiative called “Beyond the Four Walls” to ensure all students have access to at least one field trip a year that is planned and paid for by the district. Ultimately, Kansas City Public Schools wants graduates to be thriving individuals who are prepared to lead fulfilling lives.
Pasco County’s vision is to create a community which works together so all students will reach their highest potential. What resonates most is the “Community of Schools” working in support of three fundamental principles: Continuous Progress, Continuity of Caring, and Ensuring Equity and Excellence for students.
Each student is cared for and taught to maximize their cognitive, academic, and moral development. The guiding principles and key concepts, the curriculum content area standards, and the organizational structure all come together to focus on each learner. To best meet the diverse needs of students, Pasco County offers flexible school schedules, a balanced school year calendar, adult education, and extended day or afterschool programs for students.
Pasco County Schools secured the highest graduation rate among all school districts in the Tampa Bay Area at 91.1% and exceeds the state average of 88%. Pasco County has been a district-wide partner of Discovery Education since 2018, with Science TechBook at the Elementary levels, Mystery Science, and Discovery Education Experience.
Richland School District Two operates on a philosophy that believes in the right of every student to access high-quality education tailored to their individual needs, interests, and aspirations. The district’s mission focuses on the development of global citizens prepared to lead and excel in a diverse and constantly evolving world. This vision is brought to life through innovative teaching, inclusive educational practices, and a learning community that values excellence.
Richland School District Two defines success as the holistic development of students who are not only academically accomplished but also equipped with the skills and qualities necessary to thrive as global citizens: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication skills. The district envisions its graduates as individuals prepared to contribute positively to their communities and the global society, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and a lifelong passion for learning.
Richland School District Two extends education beyond the classroom walls through real-world applications, community engagement projects, and the integration of technology. The partnership with Discovery Education is a prime example, introducing innovative resources and methodologies that allow students to connect learning with the world around them. The impact of such initiatives is evident in improved student outcomes, including higher engagement rates, academic achievements, and successful community-focused projects, showcasing students’ ability to meaningfully apply their learning.
As Teacher Appreciation week starts, we are excited to celebrate the impact all educators have on students and recognize the many ways educators create nurturing, inspiring learning environments. Thank you to all educators working hard to help students grow and a special congratulations to the educators, schools, and districts who won Discovery Education Awards!
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Environmental education goes beyond the traditional classroom subjects; it helps students understand the interconnectedness of human and natural systems. By learning about topics such as conservation, biodiversity, and sustainable practices, students can make responsible decisions. This content fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Plus, it’s a topic that naturally piques students’ curiosity and passion, making learning more enjoyable and impactful.
1. Human: Fulfilling the needs of humanity without compromising the needs of future generations.
2. Civics: Encouraging civic engagement among all learners.
3. Economic: Building a stable economy that supports housing, health care, transportation, and employment.
4. Environmental: Preserving natural resources like clean air, water, land, and wildlife.
We’ve designed our resources to be standards-aligned, user-friendly, and easily adaptable to various educational settings. Here’s a glimpse of what you can find:
Video Bundles: This growing collection of multimodal resources engages learners with real-world challenges and potential solutions when it comes to environmental protection.
Ready-to-Use Activities: A variety of interactive resources for students PreK-12 empower them to explore their curiosity around various environmental topics. These resources provide easy-to-follow instructions and are designed to spark interest and activate students’ prior knowledge.
Our resources are designed to fit seamlessly into your daily lesson plans. Whether you’re teaching elementary school students or high schoolers, you can easily tailor the materials to meet your needs. For example:
We are thrilled to bring these innovative resources to you and your students! Ready to get started? Visit the Environmental Education Resource Hub to access your materials. We’ll be launching more soon. Thank you for being part of this exciting journey.
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