The Research Behind Science4Us

Featured research

Science4Us improves student engagement, confidence, and knowledge in science content.

In this third-party evaluation, ExploreLearning collaborated with McREL, a nonprofit education and research organization, to conduct a third-party evaluation of the effectiveness and quality of Science4Us. Their study, which included over 250 K-2nd grade students and 11 teachers, found that students who used Science4Us had significantly higher confidence in doing science and significantly higher content knowledge than a control group of students. Additionally, Science4Us creates a positive learning experience, with 80% of students reporting it “makes me like science more.”

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Evidence is central to effective early childhood STEM education.

Educational researchers serve a vital role in education by developing and supporting evidence for best practices in classrooms. Academic research helps educators solve students’ critical issues, such as STEM learning. Studies show that by kindergarten, students who have not been exposed to stem in early childhood education are already likely to fall behind—and stay behind. Research by the AERA (American Educational Research Association) found that 62% of kindergarteners with limited exposure to science continue to struggle with science in elementary school and perhaps throughout their educational careers.

STEM programs that provide opportunities to demonstrate understanding, ask questions, make observations, gather information, and analyze data are crucial in the early years. The benefits of focusing on early STEM education go beyond just science classes by increasing vocabulary, problem-solving, and abstract thinking. The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) confirms that learning science and engineering practices in the early years is essential to begin the ongoing progression of science coursework while building the confidence they need to succeed. With NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) set for grades K-2, there’s a plan in place to expose young learners to STEM skills and build a solid foundation.

Take a look at the research and find out how we put evidence at the center of Science4Us.

Research Base

Science4Us Logic Model

A logic model provides a program roadmap detailing program inputs, participants reached, program activities, outputs, and outcomes. It identifies how a program aims to impact learners, translating inputs into measurable activities that lead to expected results.

ExploreLearning designed the Science4Us logic model to satisfy Level IV requirements (Demonstrates a Rationale) according to the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and support future efficacy research.

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Research Base

Science achievement gaps in 1st grade persist through at least 8th grade.

Research published in an AERA (American Educational Research Association) academic journal found that science achievement in 8th-grade students was strongly related to science knowledge as early as kindergarten and first grade. 62% of students who enter kindergarten with limited exposure to science struggle with science in third grade, and 54% still struggle in eighth grade. Early interventions to support science knowledge as early as possible after school entry are therefore critical for reducing science achievement gaps in the US.

Everybody's Talking About Science4Us

Science skills are often difficult to acquire. Science4Us makes it fun and opens doors to students who have shut down science. Science in the past is something they thought they couldn’t learn. Now they can.

- Science4Us Director, Advance Learning Academy, FL

Science4Us is a huge resource for my classroom. I love to see how the videos, songs and activities encourage students to think in new ways about the things they experience. My students look forward to science time every day!

- Science4Us Teacher, Advance Learning Academy, FL

By having Science4Us, we can give them what they’re used to. They’re able to manipulate science virtually, it makes our job easier, and we’re helping them to retain the knowledge that we want them to learn

- Teacher, Hillcrest Elementary School

It [PD] provided me a door that I didn't think I would be able to open in my classroom. My students are now excited to learn science.

- Teacher, Yates Mill Elementary School

Science4Us keeps the students engaged and requires them to retell/summarize each topic.

- Teacher, Polk County School District

The Research Behind Science4Us

Unlock the possibilities of STEM for kids in grades K-2.

Science4Us improves student engagement, confidence, and knowledge in science content.

Evidence is central to effective early childhood STEM education.

Take a look at the research and find out how we put evidence at the center of Science4Us.

Everybody's Talking About Science4Us