BURLINGTON, NC – Carolina Biological is proud to announce that its products won a number of new science education awards. Leading K-12 science supplier Carolina Biological Supply Company won four prestigious national Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2023 Awards and earned Finalist in two more categories. The awards are the only competition in which products are reviewed and judged only by STEM educators. Thirty-four awards total were given in thoughtful and important categories tailored to STEM education. The awards program, operated in partnership with the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA), MCH Strategic Data and the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), spotlights innovative products, technologies, and services that are changing the world of STEM education.
Winners were chosen for qualities such as alignment with NGSS standards, the use of simulations, instructional support for teachers, and the flexibility of implementation for different modes of instruction across all STEM topics. Carolina Biological Supply Company was awarded for: Building Blocks of Scienceâ 3D won“Bridging the Gap—English Language Learners: Science & Literacy,” Smithsonian Science for the ClassroomÔ won “Best of STEM: Most Comprehensive Culturally Relevant Teaching,” and Carolina® Healthcare Simulations Kit Series: Blood Typing Kit won “CTE Training: Health Science—Training Kits” and Carolina Distance Learning® Online Gateway HyFlex won a “Trailblazer Award: Hybrid Learning Superhero.” Carolina also received Finalist status for 3-D Earth and Space Science Kits for “Best of STEM: Environmental Science” and CRISPR in a Box™ Kit for “Trailblazer: Biotechnology Innovator.”
Products were judged first by an expert panel of judges. Then, more than 267,000 STEM educators were invited to evaluate the finalists via survey.For information about the awards program, visit www.bestofstemawards.com.
Carolina has won eight Educator’s Pick Best of STEM awards over the last three years, demonstrating breadth and depth of high-quality products, curricula and teacher resources in K-16 education. Awards have been earned in such subjects as elementary and middle-school science, biology, chemistry, physical science, environmental science, career technical education (CTE), and anatomy and physiology.
“Carolina employees put their hearts and minds into developing new products to support science teachers at all instructional levels,” said Jim Parrish, CEO of Carolina Biological. “It’s rewarding to have those we care so much about affirm our work and mission with Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2023 Awards.”
“Our development staff works closely with science teachers to develop products that will excite and engage their students,” said Mark Meszaros, Vice President of Carolina Biological’s Core Product Management and Innovation. “I am grateful that we were able to address these difficult to teach topics and be recognized by our peers in science education.”
“This recognition highlights Carolina’s dedication to fostering inclusive and effective learning environments that empower students in science and STEM, said Karen Stevens, Vice President of Carolina Biological’s Curriculum. “This is the second Best of STEM award for Building Blocks of Scienceâ 3D, which reinforces Carolina’s commitment to support all students by ensuring that language barriers do not hinder students’ opportunities to excel. And we’re thrilled that Smithsonian Science for the ClassroomÔ was recognized for Most Comprehensive Culturally Relevant Teaching. Developed with support from the Smithsonian Institution — the world’s largest cultural institution – culturally relevant teaching is crucial for engaging students from diverse backgrounds and making STEM subjects accessible to all.”
“We are thrilled and honored to receive the Educators Pick Best of STEM® 2023 Awards, ‘Trailblazer Award: Hybrid Learning Superhero’ for our groundbreaking Carolina Distance Learning product for college, Carolina Online Gateway, HyFlex,” said Shannon McGurk, Vice President of Carolina Biological’s Carolina Distance Learning. “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to revolutionizing education through innovation and hybrid learning solutions. Carolina Online Gateway represents a new era of educational tools, providing educators and students with a comprehensive platform designed to elevate the college distance learning experience.”
All four of Carolina’s winning products and the two finalists are available now through Carolina. For information, visit carolina.com or call (800) 334-5551 to speak to a customer service or technical representative.
Carolina’s 2023 Best-in-Class Winners:
The first winner, setting the standard in 3D learning and 3D assessment, is the Smithsonian Science for the Classroom curriculum. It provides cohesive storylines, superior teacher support, and research-supported instructional design that is backed by proven results. Smithsonian Science for the Classroom is a high-quality core science and engineering curriculum program specifically developed to meet the NGSS. This elementary curriculum is designed to engage, inspire, and connect grades K to 5 students firsthand to the world around them through engaging and hands-on lessons.
Next, Carolina Biological’s second winner, Building Blocks of Science 3D provides hands-on unit kits for students in grades K to 5. This complete, phenomena-based program combines interactive investigations, literacy components, and digital resources to teach students science content and investigative skills in manageable 30-minute lessons. The program also integrates engineering into every grade and includes everything teachers need for their entire class for every lesson with hands-on materials, print, and digital simulations.
In addition, the third winner, Carolina® Healthcare Simulations Kit Series: Blood Typing Kit, is a Career Technical Education (CTE) series that asks students to practice clinical skills, techniques, and procedures. While performing a series of investigations, in addition to gaining an understanding of human anatomy and physiology, students learn and practice skills that can be used in a healthcare setting using safe simulated samples. Each activity includes a case study that provides students with background information about a patient who presents with relevant symptoms. The series consists of Blood Hematocrit, Blood Glucose, Blood Typing, Urinalysis, and a Vital Signs Kit. More real-world CTE kits in the series are coming soon.
The fourth winner, Carolina Distance Learning® Online Gateway HyFlex, is for college level and includes lab kits and materials that produce great results for college students, at home or on campus. A HyFlex class allows students to attend class in person, synchronously online, or asynchronously online. That flexibility gives students the opportunity to attend class who, due to circumstances, might not otherwise be able to do so. It also gives institutions the opportunity to increase enrollment and the number of courses they can offer.
About MCH Strategic Data
MCH Strategic Data is a first-class leading provider of data and technology solutions in education, religion, healthcare and government. MCH is dedicated to providing superior solutions through its ongoing investment in people, data and technology. Learn more at www.mchdata.com or find them on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.
About NSTA
The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 40,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit www.nsta.org, or follow NSTA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
About NABT
Since being established in 1938, the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) has been the recognized “leader in life science education.” Thousands of educators have joined NABT to share experiences and expertise with colleagues from around the globe; keep up with trends and developments in the field; and grow professionally. For more information about NABT, please visit www.NABT.org.
Carolina Biological Supply Company
From its beginnings in 1927, Carolina ( www.carolina.com) has grown to become the leading supplier of K-16 science teaching materials in the world. Headquartered in Burlington, NC, Carolina serves customers worldwide, including teachers, students, and professionals in science and health-related fields. The company is still privately owned by descendants of the founder, geology and biology professor Dr. Thomas E. Powell Jr.
