Specialized Materials Development
At McREL, we recognize that student learning doesn’t stop at the end of the school day or within the walls of a classroom. That’s why we work with schools to help them find new, effective ways to extend student learning after the bell rings. We also work with private-sector companies, media organizations, and federal agencies, such as NASA (Dawn, Genesis) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), to create engaging, media-rich learning materials that bring the outside world into the classroom and ignite students’ imaginations.
Specialized materials development
Learn more about our Education and Public Outreach work.
Media-rich resources give students multiple exposures to and practice
with concepts, a strategy we know has a positive influence on student
achievement. McREL applies its expertise in standards-based education
and effective classrooms to develop classroom curricular materials emphasizing
real-life contexts. No matter what the topic—whether it’s the
mysteries of the solar system or the new wonders of nanotechnology—McREL’s
team of educators, writers, and multimedia designers turn complex content
into engaging, pedagogically sound educational materials for students and
the public. For example, in science, we help a broad range of clients— including
NASA, Lockheed Martin, and NSF—translate complex content into engaging,
innovative materials that are aligned with standards and reflect rigorous
research on teaching and learning.
In addition, because we know that learning opportunities are everywhere, we find unique ways to get those materials out to wide audiences, including students, teachers, decision makers, and the general public. Whether it’s a simple newsletter; enhanced educational DVDs; inquiry-based, interactive computer games; or a Web site featuring the latest research studies for No Child Left Behind, we extend learning beyond regular classroom boundaries through our curriculum innovations.
Bringing the Real World
into the Classroom
Ways that McREL has helped clients develop instructional
materials that engage and educate students are:
- Providing multi-media, instructional materials, and Web sites for NASA’s Genesis, Dawn, and Deep Impact missions.
- Creating “educationally enhanced” classroom materials to support the DVD releases of the Super Size Me and Faces of Addiction documentaries.
- Partnering with Stanford University on a National Science Foundation project to integrate nanoscale science into curricula.