Cherokee schools launch Discovery Ed STEM partnership

Staci Wiech (left) and Jade Ricketts of Zoo Atlanta work on a STEM challenge at the kick-off event of the Cherokee County School District and Discover Education partnership. Teams were tasked with quickly building the highest tower possible using a box of plastic silverware. CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOLS

Staci Wiech (left) and Jade Ricketts of Zoo Atlanta work on a STEM challenge at the kick-off event of the Cherokee County School District and Discover Education partnership. Teams were tasked with quickly building the highest tower possible using a box of plastic silverware. CHEROKEE COUNTY SCHOOLS

The Cherokee County School District announced the launch of a three-year partnership with Discovery Education to improve Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning for elementary and middle school students.

A recently held kick-off event had teachers, administrators and STEM partner businesses and organizations doing hands-on activities demonstrating what Discover Education, affiliated with the Discovery TV network, will deliver to students.

“We’re very excited about partnership with Discovery Ed. Not only do they have a huge STEM emphasis in all that they do, they also see that it takes not just rigor and relevance, but also relationships,” district Superintendent Brian V. Hightower said.

In addition to receiving Discovery Ed curriculum and other instructional resources, Cherokee will get 15 days of professional development and 10 days of coaching for teachers and administrators at middle schools and four of the district’s STEM Academy elementary schools, officials said.