PicScience Software: Zenith

// Foreword

PicScience aims to enhance the educational component of youth enrichment centers, such as the Boys and Girls Club of Daleville, by providing a robust academic experience in these informal learning settings. This case study highlights a collaborative effort focused on student achievement. To address summer learning loss, the alliance leverages state-of-the-art adaptive technology and a curriculum aligned to state standards. Through a diverse coalition, including forward-thinking educators who refined the course in their classrooms during the initial pilot and technology innovators who designed the software framework, the partnership between PicScience and the Boys and Girls Club of Daleville strengthens the impact of instruction. Recent studies emphasize the pressing need to address learning gaps during summer breaks. In response, this collaborative effort provides year-round educational opportunities aimed at preventing academic setbacks and educational disparities.

"The true measure of the success of education is not what knowledge a student accumulates during a specific period, but rather the lasting impact it leaves on their journey of lifelong learning."

Anonymous

This case study began in the summer of 2023. Led by April Spencer, the Boys and Girls Club Director, the initiative aims to address deficits in math. In response to the need for intervention, PicScience was invited to create a tailored multiplication and division math summer learning program. The collaboration focuses on fostering a comprehensive understanding of foundational mathematical concepts. The program promotes independent learning and self-directed models that empower children to become autonomous learners while encouraging them to seek assistance when needed.

This dynamic ecosystem brings together youth enrichment centers, volunteers, and community members to create an immersive learning environment that helps to develop essential skills. By integrating Open Educational Resources (OER), the centers access adaptable, state-aligned supplemental resources, promoting student achievement.

The targeted intervention specifically elucidates multiplication concepts, ensuring a seamless progression and laying a solid foundation for future mathematical studies. The program emphasizes not only mathematical advancement but also the overall academic and social development of each student, preparing them for a future of continuous learning and growth.

Change Management

To improve second graders' multiplication skills for a smooth transition to the third grade, Ms. Spencer initiated a comprehensive change management strategy. Acting as the liaison between the school and parents, she began by using an assessment tool to pinpoint specific areas requiring intervention. Students' proficiency in addition was evaluated as the foundation for subsequent intervention strategies. Sydney Brackin of PicScience designed customized intervention and enrichment strategies, with the PicScience team developing a curriculum aligned to state standards with a specific focus on multiplication fundamentals.

Implementation strategies included seamlessly integrating the developed curriculum into existing lesson plans, ensuring coordination with staff members, and providing training sessions for effective execution. The initiative acknowledged the diversity of learning environments, both informal and traditional, aiming to adapt intervention strategies accordingly. Efforts were made to incorporate engaging and age-appropriate content for second graders, recognizing the value of informal learning environments.

To ensure a comprehensive and adaptive approach, the initiative integrated continuous monitoring and feedback loops, utilizing platforms like Google Classroom and Outgrow for effective tracking of students' progress. The plan included virtual and self-directed learning modules. The project employed data-driven insights, creative methods of instruction, and coordinated efforts to produce a sustainable improvement in second graders' multiplication skills.

Methodology

The program was designed using a data-driven approach, bringing stakeholders, partners, and networks together to collectively address challenges in math education. This approach involved a comprehensive understanding of students’ needs and specific challenges. Some objectives of the program included fostering math competency and self-directed learning. The collaborative approach instilled a sense of ownership and shared responsibility among all partners, ensuring a unified effort toward achieving program objectives. Ms. Spencer, acting as an advocate for children with working parents, offered crucial insights into deficits and educational needs, contributing to program customization and affirming the impact of this partnership in promoting math competency and self-directed learning.

Data-Driven Insights

The Zenith Software tracks and records students' performance.

Employing a data-driven approach facilitated by the tracking

system, pre-assessments focused on evaluating proficiency in

key math concepts, particularly in addition and multiplication.

Through comprehensive analysis of the data, PicScience derived

valuable insights into students' strengths and identified areas

requiring improvement. These data, serving as the cornerstone,

guided the design of the curriculum, customized to address the

unique learning needs of each student.

Development of a 30-Day Curriculum

Mr. Brackin created and implemented a 30-day curriculum for the program, designed to encompass both addition and multiplication learning modules. It included a detailed timeline with benchmarks and expectations for student progress, ensuring a structured and systematic approach to learning.

Utilization of Various Educational Resources

To enhance student engagement and learning, the program incorporated a range of educational resources. These resources included manipulatives, worksheets, interactive learning videos, and assessments. The use of manipulatives allowed for hands-on learning experiences, while worksheets and videos provided supplemental instructional materials. Assessments were used to track individual progress and measure the program's overall effectiveness.

To enhance program fidelity, Mr. Brackin implemented a virtual component within the summer learning program. The virtual feature allowed students to access program materials and resources from remote locations, thereby sustaining continuous learning support beyond the confines of the physical classroom environment. Mr. Brackin remotely logged into the back office of the classroom platform, ensuring his virtual presence during sessions. Each student was assigned a dedicated tab within the virtual classroom interface. Enabling real-time interaction, the virtual component implemented features such as data streamlining, live commentary, and immediate student assistance. Beyond preserving program fidelity, the platform provided a personalized learning experience. The outcomes were substantial, enhancing program accessibility, sustaining learning engagement, and demonstrating the technology's potential to enrich educational processes.

The collaboration between the Boys and Girls Club of Daleville and PicScience led to subsequent collaborative efforts and initiatives in Alabama. PicScience's program, designed to improve math proficiency, was utilized in summer learning and afterschool settings in Alabama. This case study underscores the effectiveness of a community organization and an educational consulting firm joining forces to bridge achievement gaps.

The math intervention program at the Boys and Girls Club of Daleville resulted in improved academic performance.

Addition Section:

Third graders were assessed on their ability to solve addition problems. The mean score on the addition assessment was 70%, based on the performance of 3 out of 10 participating students prior to intervention. After the intervention, student scores increased to 83%.

Multiplication Section:

Third-grade students were assessed on their ability to solve multiplication problems. The students scored a mean of 63% on the pre-assessment. Following the intervention, the mean score increased to 73%.

// Overview

// Results

Onboarding

PicScience's summer program featured a thorough onboarding procedure aimed at showcasing the features of Zenith Math Software. The onboarding process provided training to instructors on various tasks, such as creating customized logins, engaging with online learning environments, and examining student performance data, with a particular focus on test results. The program emphasized the software's features, interface, and performance analytics. Instructors were instructed on how to use the data to devise targeted enrichment and intervention strategies to help students progress.

To support professional development, two Troy University students participated in an onboarding procedure aimed at fostering a deep understanding of teaching

responsibilities and proficient use of necessary resources. The focus also included equipping trainees with the knowledge and skills to efficiently locate and utilize educational resources, with a specific emphasis on utilizing the virtual platform, Google Classroom. To ensure smooth program implementation, Mr. Brackin played a crucial role, dedicating one day to observation and the next three days to demonstrating effective delivery of instruction. This hands-on approach not only facilitated trainees' understanding of the program's curriculum and resources but also ensured active engagement with students.

The onboarding process extended beyond familiarizing staff with tools and curriculum; it integrated a strategic communication model. This model provided trainees with effective communication channels for planning the next steps in students' intervention and enrichment.

Staff Insight

The vision for the math summer learning program was shaped by insights gleaned from staff surveys. PicScience utilized the valuable feedback from these surveys to develop a more self-directed learning experience for students. This feedback guided the team in adapting the program to cater to the unique needs and preferences of the students. By prioritizing student input and integrating insights from both staff and students, the team aimed to create a more impactful and student-centered educational experience.

In response to challenges encountered during the program, PicScience provided additional support and resources for the staff. The onboarding and training sessions empowered instructors to tackle classroom management issues and effectively engage students.

Ongoing collaborative discussions between instructors and the PicScience team focused on maintaining classroom support and enhancing student engagement.

Building on the successes of previous programs and learning from challenges, PicScience aimed to create a more dynamic and nurturing learning environment for future programs. The overarching goal is to enhance educational outcomes through a partnership founded on mutual trust and shared values. The partners envision an exceptional team of instructors supporting every student at the Boys and Girls Club of Daleville in actively participating in their educational journey. This collaborative effort between PicScience and the Boys and Girls Club of Daleville seeks to pave the way for a promising future, driving positive change, and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of the students served by this partnership.