In Session: 20 New Schools Join See The Change USA

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- See The Change USA, a non-profit organization dedicated to introducing physics into middle schools across the country announced 20 additional schools — spanning several states — have joined its hands-on and age-appropriate physics program.

As the U.S. Department of Labor reports the U.S. will have 1.2 million job openings in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) related fields by 2018, See The Change USA is committed to student advancement in science & engineering to help close this supply-demand gap.

While STEM career opportunities are on the rise, a 2015 report by the U.S. Department of Education revealed only 16% of American high school seniors are proficient in math and interested in a STEM career. Even among those who do go on to pursue a college major in STEM fields, only about half opt to work in a related career.

With the addition of these 20 new schools to the 32 schools already participating in the See The Change USA program, See The Change USA is committed to improving students' level of achievement in science and mathematics — as well as their interest in these fields. Furthermore, as Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) indicates that U.S.' 15-year-olds in the 90^th percentile (top students) score below their peers in 26 countries on mathematics literacy, and below 21 countries on science literacy, See The Change USA is set to close that gap and create a strong pipeline of qualified U.S. professionals who will meet the workforce demands of today and in the future.

Launched in 2012, See The Change USA has developed the curriculum and teacher support materials for a hands-on physics program that is ready to meet today's challenges and future demands.

"I could not be more pleased to share with you that this fall finds 52 schools using the See The Change USA curriculum," said Dave Csintyan, CEO of See The Change USA. "These schools represent ~19,700 students who either have or are being exposed to the joy of physics in middle school."

"A special welcome to the middle schools who have joined us this fall," said Mr. Csintyan. They include:

Independence Academy   Grand Junction, CO

KIPP WAYS Academy   Atlanta, GA

Sarracino Middle School   Socorro, NM

Rio Rancho Cyber Academy   Rio Rancho, NM

Chief Manuelito Middle School   Gallup, NM

Gallup Middle School   Gallup, NM

Kennedy Middle School   Gallup, NM

Thoreau Middle School   Gallup, NM

Ramah Mid/High   Gallup, NM

Tohatchi Middle School   Gallup, NM

Crownpoint Middle School   Gallup, NM

Navajo Middle School   Gallup, NM

Magdalena Middle School   Magdalena, NM

Los Alamitos Middle School   Grants, NM

Laguna Acoma Jr/Sr High School   Grants, NM

Berrendo Middle School   Roswell, NM

Sierra Middle School   Roswell, NM

Mesa Middle School   Roswell, NM

Mountain View Middle School   Roswell, NM

Lamesa Middle School   Lamesa, TX

As See The Change USA increases its presence in New Mexico, it is excited to bring its middle school physics program into new states with the addition of KIPP WAYS Academy in Georgia and Lamesa Middle School in Texas.

"We are very excited about the level of engagement See The Change USA's physics program provides for our students," said Lamesa Middle School Assistant Principal Leroy Mitchell. "The program supplements the structural foundation of our students with its outstanding vocabulary. It enhances their utilization of the higher order thinking skills with engaging student-driven projects and the overall design of the program provides the teacher with a wealth of resources that allows the teacher to become the facilitator and not the focal point of the learning that is taking place."

See The Change USA is innovative and thought-provoking, Mitchell noted. "Students are challenged to work hands on with high-level physics topics and learn how to identify and solve problems on their own."

Assistant Superintendent of Instruction for the Roswell Independent School District Dr. Arsenio Romero also expressed his excitement at rolling out the See The Change USA curriculum in the district's four middle schools. "Within our region, we're surrounded with the Spaceport being built, we have military installations and have contractors within our region, so this is a perfect opportunity for students to get engaged and excited about physics, which will really affect their lives and careers in the future."

"Joining See The Change USA is also an important step for us to improving other core areas," Dr. Romero said. "I think it will have a huge impact on our math proficiencies when it comes to problem solving and critical thinking and other areas," he said.

"Thank you, one and all, and best wishes in your new school year," Mr. Csintyan said. "See The Change USA is excited to partner with all our new schools and give students every opportunity to build their skills for employment in the world economy."

See The Change USA was founded in August 2012 and is a 501 (c) 3 national educational and charitable non-profit organization committed to student advancement in Science and Engineering.  This is accomplished through introducing physics in middle schools, paralleling what is already in existence internationally.

For more information about See The Change USA, contact See The Change USA Vice President, Marketing & Communications Kathleen Gobos at 1-888-843-0671.

PRLog ID: www.prlog.org/12589053

SOURCE See The Change USA