Iowa Program Adds Derivita Math Resources to Bolster STEM Curricula

Digital mathematics platform company Derivita has been chosen as one of 14 providers by the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education to be part of the state's 2024-25 Iowa STEM Scale-Up Program. The program provides access to Iowa educators who apply and are accepted across the state to use STEM programs and resources in their existing curriculum to help provide professional development and improve teaching, at no cost to schools.

Educator applications for the 2024-25 school year close on Feb. 28, 2024. PreK–12, public and private school cross-curricular educators, youth education leaders, informal education professionals, home school associations and individuals, and others are encouraged to apply to the Scale-Up Program, the company said. Awarded applicants will be notified in late Spring 2024.

Derivita will hold office hours throughout January and every Thursday in February at 4 p.m. CST to help educators complete their applications and answer questions.

The company's resources include Derivita's 6-12 Math Courseware program. Pre-K access to Derivita's platform, with its library of mathematical tasks and beyond, is also available, the company said.

"I am proud to launch our partnership with the Governor's STEM Advisory Council at the Iowa Department of Education and our participation in the Iowa STEM Scale-Up Program," said Dog Sovde, Derivita's senior manager of school and district partnerships. "This is an exciting opportunity to offer teachers and students across the State of Iowa access to Derivita and potentially change the way they see and interact with mathematics."

In addition to Derivita's math program, learning resources from the 13 other providers for the 2024-25 school year include AI, coding, agriculture, robotics, physics/chemistry, and several other STEAM topics. Visit the 2024-25 Scale-Up menu page to learn more about topics, informational webinars, and contact information.

About the Author

Kate Lucariello is a former newspaper editor, EAST Lab high school teacher and college English teacher.

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