As we reviewed options for online science curriculum, Penda really stood out. It checks all the boxes in terms of meeting content alignment, data privacy, and interoperability standards, and it saves teachers time with auto assignments based on our curriculum scope and sequence. We ultimately chose Penda because the activities and simulations not only help students master science content, but also spark real and genuine interest and inspiration in science that could last a lifetime.
Shaylia McRae
Chief of Transformation, Hillsborough County Public Schools (FL)
Penda was a way to ensure that kids could get the science content that they needed and it would lighten the load for teachers. Teachers could either use Penda within the day, as a teaching tool, or they could provide small group instruction with students on their computers. With Penda they could also use it as a homework assignment. We knew kids could get good quality science learning, and instruction and it would take some of the pressure off the teachers for reading and math.
Ryan Widdowsen
Supervisor of Federal Programs, Clay County School District (FL)
For our school, in particular, science has been a push. Our science scores in the past – in 8th grade and 5th grade – have been terrible. And part of that is that students in our school struggle with reading. So, reading will kind of ‘eat’ science and social studies. So we started to push science departmentalization. So what Penda has done is allow us during the pandemic time for the kids to have a fun, engaging option, when their teacher isn’t instructing for science. Not only does it supplement the Florida standards that are going to be assessed, but the kids really dig the games and things. It’s served a lot of purposes for us.
Georgia Waddups
Assistant Principal, Duval Charter Scholars Academy (FL)
To have something that is aligned that engages students really just felt like a natural fit.
Anthony Tyrkala
Principal, Aventura City of Excellence School (FL)
Teachers [said] Penda really made life easy, and I saw the results in my classroom –– that kids were able to show or re-learn something that maybe they didn’t get before.
Delonjie Tyson
Science SAL & Coach, Jennings Middle School (FL)