Please send us your inquiries by completing the form below. We look forward to hearing from you.

Please direct all correspondence to:

Mail:
KnowAtom, LLC
45 Congress St.
Salem, MA 01970

Telephone: (617) 475-3475

Dear Educator,

For decades, great minds have called for the improvement of elementary science education. Yet today, with greater than ever demands for time-on-learning fewer than 30% of American 4^th and 8^th grade students perform at or above a proficient level in science, according to the National Science Foundation.

Educators cannot expect every student will be a scientist, but we can help every student understand the science and engineering concepts that will shape their future. KnowAtom was founded with the belief 21^st-century science must be made easy to implement for educators and developmentally accessible for students at an early age.

KnowAtom sets the standard for 21^st-century science education. Our curriculum takes everything that is shown to improve success in science and integrates it into a curriculum that is better for parents, teachers, administrators and most of all, students. Our pedagogical approach uses proven Backward Design, Inquiry and Socratic methods that promote student centered learning and make long-term performance impact. Combining self-built take-home projects with discussion and visual aids, gives students a lot of incentive to engage.

Through hands-on investigations students invest themselves in concepts while figuring out how things work through their own project that is or isn’t working. Students keep their projects to extend classroom discussion with parents, friends, and siblings. This approach gives students instant feedback on concepts through something they create.

We look forward to helping you lead your students to new heights in science and engineering for the 21^st century.

Best Regards,

Francis Vigeant

CEO, KnowAtom, LLC

Our Team

Francis Vigeant

Francis graduated with honors from Gordon College in 2004 and began work as a teacher at Lynn Classical High School in Massachusetts. Francis has taught Kindergarten through 12^th grade in a broad spectrum of learning environments ranging from remediation to self-contained, team-taught, 766, and inclusion classrooms to college prep and honors students.

Led by his passion for science, Francis created KnowAtom with the belief that science classes centered on hands-on projects would excite a broad range of children about the world of science. His dedication to the KnowAtom approach has led to an exponential growth of the program. Francis is an elementary science curriculum expert and regularly consults for private and public districts throughout New England.

When not teaching, Francis can be found pursuing a number of interests, including sailboat racing and board games. He is also a member of MENSA and enjoys traveling. Among his many travels Francis has also helped build and repair schools in Guatemala, Haiti, and Venezuela.

Support Team

Maryellen deLacy, M.Ed., Curriculum Specialist. As a master multi-age elementary teacher for 25 years, she led curriculum development in the areas of both science and math as well as data-driven decision-making. Maryellen has first-hand experience with KnowAtom as a pilot teacher. Presently she fills the role of curriculum specialist and is involved with marketing and sales efforts, meeting with curriculum directors and elementary teachers throughout New England.

Nicole Lanoue, Education Coordinator. For four years, Nicole has contributed to KnowAtom’s mission as a teacher, curriculum developer, afterschool science coordinator and site liaison. She is a devout student of science and enjoys sharing her love of the natural world with elementary school students.

Joseph Caputo, M.S., Curriculum Developer. Holds a Master ‘s degree in science and medical journalism from Boston University, as well as a B.A. in biology from Sarah Lawrence College. He possesses a strong interest in science education, having taught at the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, NY, as well as the Early Childhood Center in Bronxville, NY. He has worked in a writing capacity for science-related institutions such as the Marine Biological Laboratory and Smithsonian Magazine and was the first recipient of the $10,000 Harold G. Buchbinder Entrepreneurial Media Studies Award.

Mission and Values

Our Mission

KnowAtom’s mission is to excite students and develop life-long learners in science, engineering and technology by providing elementary school students with 21st-century, hands-on curriculum that is relevant, memorable, and integrates the most important parts of a child’s education.

Instructional Approach

In each KnowAtom class, individual student projects bring scientific models and abstract concepts to life. We believe that by creating something tangible and relevant to each lesson, students develop personal connections that positively reinforce their learning experiences in science and engineering. This engagement inspires a love for the subject that goes beyond the projects. Students regularly walk out of our classes not just with the satisfaction of having built something, but also a solid understanding of how it works and why it matters.

What People Are Saying About Our In-School Curriculum Approach:

“I am so pleased with this new science curriculum. My daughter comes home from school and talks about the many things she is learning in science. This new knowledge has become the catalyst for some very interesting family conversations about science. We are all using our minds in a way that is both challenging and exciting. More than ever, I find myself staying abreast of current events occurring within the scientific community.”

Kristen, Parent

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“From years of experience, this really hit the mark. The activities were very purposeful.”

Grade 4 Teacher

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“My husband and I are so pleased to know that our daughter is studying this subject matter. She comes home so excited and shares with us all that she is learning. Our daughter is a very bright child and we feel so blessed that she is getting the challenge that she so desires. She has often told us that she wants to be a scientist when she grows up and this program is definitely pointing her in the right direction.”

Taheera, Parent

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“I see the KnowAtom program as a comprehensive and innovated hands-on science program for our fourth graders. I believe this program will have a broad impact not only with our elementary science program but with all academic programs K-6 in our school district. The project orientation of this program and its implications for instruction exhibitions occurring throughout the program is truly exciting.”

District Superintendent

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“Not only is our daughter learning new scientific information but we (her parents) are also getting reminded, after being so far away from protons, neutrons and periodic charts for many years now. Very helpful when having the kinds of discussion this generates.”

Mark and Margaret, Parents

Q:  Is the KnowAtom curriculum affordable?

KnowAtom costs less than new textbook and reader-based science programs. We provide curriculum binders, leveled student readers and relevant classroom technology for less than what you’d pay for a non-inquiry based science curriculum. The biggest savings with KnowAtom is often the less-accounted for teacher time and money spent finding and outfitting their classroom units.

Q: What is necessary to implement the KnowAtom curriculum?

The KnowAtom curriculum can be implemented like any other new curriculum your district has chosen. For specific information call 877-3D-SCIENCE to schedule an appointment with us.

Q: What else does KnowAtom offer?

In addition to our in-school curriculum, KnowAtom offers after school and home school programs, along with curriculum consulting. For more information, visit www.knowatom.com.

Q: How does KnowAtom use 21^st-century technology?

Science has come a long way in the past 100 years. Medical genetics, string theory and nuclear physics are just a sample of the modern scientific fields that have sprung up in recent decades. We wouldn’t know much about the world without scientists who used the right tools to collect their data. That’s why KnowAtom integrates and provides technology like oscilloscopes and radiation detectors that students use to read and analyze data they collect and interpret themselves.

Q: Will achievement scores rise?

To date, every school that has implemented the KnowAtom curriculum have seen an increase in student performance on independent state level testing.

Q: Does KnowAtom align with state science standards?

Yes, the KnowAtom curriculum is designed to specifically address EVERY state science standard. Contact KnowAtom for a list of state specific offerings currently available.

Q: How does your program handle learning disabilities?

We are aware of the impact learning disabilities play in student learning, frustration tolerances, and attention span; however, we try our best to treat all children equally. There have been many occasions; where the hands-on inquiry environment transcends disabilities to the point we wouldn’t have otherwise known a student had learning disabilities.

Specific to in-school curriculum programming, students on Individual Education Plans can succeed in science through KnowAtom Curriculum. Our program is unique as it offers many different three dimensional and functioning contexts for concepts being presented. Through the use of engaging hands-on projects and visual aids, special educators are given a number of tools for helping students visualize, contextualize, and engage scientific concepts. All leveled student readers are produced in 16pt comic sans font for ease of readability.

Q: What are the advantages of hands-on science?

Students at any age learn by doing. By interacting with science, children can use the observations they make to form conclusions about how the world works. Science and engineering are very hands-on career choices. A day in the life of a scientist can include making exact measurements of solutions in the laboratory or digging up ice cores in the Arctic. The KnowAtom curriculum prepares students for a lifetime of scientific pursuit by showing them that the subject is naturally integrated requiring both research skills and creativity.

Q: How does KnowAtom compare to other hands-on science curricula?

At KnowAtom, our view is that science is living and breathing knowledge impacting our everyday lives and students should be engaged hands-on in fundamentals that reflect 21st -century advances. We have designed our curricula to reflect scientific topics—from stem cells and climate change to genetics—that students will encounter as they advance. In addition, we expose students to digital technology popular among citizen scientists, giving children a diverse real-world science experience.

Q: Is teacher training necessary?

No formal teacher training is required. Each unit comes with background reading and resources to help teachers refresh their memories on a given topic. The lesson plans are very detailed and guide teachers through question and answer sessions with students. In addition, some unit activities come with online instructional videos. KnowAtom is able to provide professional development workshops, guidance and support by special arrangement.

Q: How much time is needed to teach each Unit?

KnowAtom is flexible by design with time on learning recommendation varying by grade-level and unit. Please contact KnowAtom with grade-level specific inquiries.

Q: Is there homework?

Most units do not come with homework. However, each unit comes with elements that are easily assigned for homework should the teacher use to employ them as such. For instance, student readers can be uses to review though assigned non-fiction reading at home.

KnowAtom offers professional development workshops on:

1. The Scientific Method in the Elementary Classroom

Science is more than memorization. Real science is a process that begins with a question, produces data and leads to answers. Teaching science is teaching the critical thinking steps that yield the knowledge we have about the world. In this workshop, we define the role of the scientist in society and introduce a standardized scientific method that is age appropriate and consistent among different content areas.

Participants are led through a hands-on lab, related to the states of matter, to experience the scientific method like students in the classroom, troubleshooting the process along the way. By the end of the workshop, participants understand how to use each element of the scientific method to properly form data-based conclusions.

2. The Engineering Design Process in the Elementary Classroom

Engineering is the product of science. Scientists use the scientific method to describe the properties of atoms, the structure of our solar system and the processes of sight and hearing. Engineers use scientific knowledge and mathematics to create new technologies. These inventions usually fulfill some sort of societal need, from new modes of transportation to robotics.

Like the scientific method, the engineering design process is a standardized step-by-step procedure, except directed at creating better technologies. In this workshop, participants are led through each step as they design boats that float in both salt and fresh water, mimicking the process in the classroom. By the end, participants understand how to properly conduct engineering exercises with their elementary students.

3. Implementing Inquiry Methods and Developing Skills For the 21^st Century

An inquiry-based science program involves more than hands-on activities. In an inquiry-based classroom structure, the educator guides students to make their own detailed observations and form independent scientific questions. This workshop explains how to encourage critical thinking and make the most authentic science lessons.

To demonstrate, participants test sleds on different surfaces and are directed to use the scientific method to find problems and the engineering design process to create better sleds. By the end, participants understand how to set expectations and help students work independently.

4. Writing Successful Grants For Science

Teaching science requires the most hands-on resources of any of the core elementary subjects. Costs include everything from batteries to materials like microscopes or owl pellets. As state expectations for student science performance increases, so will the need for these necessary resources. Private grants are there to help close the gap.

In this workshop, participants receive hands-on training to find and write successful grants. We discuss how to present an argument by laying out the school’s need and describing how the proposed program is a solution, sustainable, has long term benefits, and assesses goals.

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Our “Boot Camp” workshops simplify concepts from high school and college science classes to help educators translate biology or physics into a language that young students will understand. KnowAtom offers four workshops based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks Strands.

5. Earth & Space Science Boot Camp

Science is a collection of simple questions with seemingly complex answers: Why does the Earth revolve around the Sun? What causes the seasons? How do rocks form? The answers require a firm understanding of the anatomy and movement of Earth. This workshop helps participants understand how rocks & minerals, density and the water cycle come together to form an environment that supports life on Earth and the elements of our solar system.

6. Life Science Boot Camp

Every living thing starts off as a single cell. That single cell can then become an organism whose journey from birth to death is shaped by gathering nutrients, consuming water and reproducing. This workshop engages participants in dialog about biology concepts that they can use in their classrooms, including DNA, how a tadpole turns into a frog and the ways animals and plants adapt to their environments.

7. Physical Sciences Boot Camp

Why should we teach atoms to elementary-aged students? Understanding atoms is essential to understanding why we have solids, liquids and gases as well as electricity. Many physical and chemical changes require students to think small, from energy conservation to the forces that keep us moving. This workshop explains how to transform abstract physical science concepts into engaging classroom dialog.

8. Technology/Engineering Boot Camp

Elementary students are expected to understand how materials, tools, and machines extend our ability to solve problems and invent. Innovation is the backbone of America’s economy and the practical product of science. This workshop will reinforce engineering design skills as participants recognize a need and brainstorm a new technology that can address the problem.

How to Write a Successful Grant For the KnowAtom Science Program

Many districts help fund the upfront expense of implementing their new science initiative with the use of grants. If you are interested in bringing KnowAtom to your school but require more funds, this page will guide you through the grant-application process.

STEP 1: Contact KnowAtom (617-475-3475 x 2006) to discuss how the program works and find out how it can meet your district’s needs.

STEP 2: Rally other educators interested in implementing the program and define the scope of the new initiative.

STEP 3: Identify local STEM improvement grants that you’re eligible for. Check to see if rotary clubs, charitable trusts, community groups or business associations offer education grants. Here are some organizations that provide grants for innovative classroom science programming:

• Hardscrabble Education Fund Grant
• Gelfand Family Charitable Trust
• National Science Teacher Association
• Lynn Business Education Foundation
• Intel Community Grants
• Dominion Educational Partnership
• American Honda Foundation
• Department of Education
• NIH’s Science Education Partnership Award

Also see award opportunities listed by the Massachusetts Association of Science Teachers and “How to Find Elementary Classroom Grants” from eHow.com

STEP 4:  Download or contact the grant administrator to obtain the grant proposal form. When asked for a project description, be sure to point out the following elements that make KnowAtom unique:

• The KnowAtom Curriculum is formed from state frameworks and has been proven to improve student performance on standardized science and technology/engineering exams.
• KnowAtom supplements existing science programming with an inquiry-based curriculum that provides all necessary project components.
• KnowAtom helps a school or district implement a unified science curriculum quickly.
• KnowAtom encourages teachers to welcome science into their classrooms by enhancing existing classroom resources.
• The KnowAtom Curriculum requires students to use 21^st-century critical thinking skills with imaginative, hands-on projects that utilize scientific instruments and digital technology.
• KnowAtom creates an enjoyable science experience for both students and teachers.
• KnowAtom provides meaningful professional development resources and workshops.

STEP 5: If you would like to submit your grant for peer review by KnowAtom we’re happy to provide feedback. Call (617) 475-3475 x 2008 or e-mail jcaputo@knowatom.com for advice and support.

STEP 6: Submit the grant and wait for the results. Congrats! If you don’t receive funding the first time, contact the grant administrator to solicit feedback. Reform and resubmit.

KnowAtom and Federal/State Education Initiatives

Race to Top

If your district is eligible for “Race to the Top” funds, please consider using the KnowAtom solution in your classrooms. Our program addresses all four of President Obama’s areas for education reform:

• The KnowAtom Curriculum prepares students to succeed in college and the workplace by establishing the backbone of their scientific literacy and encouraging critical thinking.
• It measures student growth and success with unit assessments that cover vocabulary, key concepts and preparedness for standardized exams.
• Professional development materials and classes develop teachers’ confidence in being able to fully develop state science frameworks.
• The KnowAtom program yields higher standardized science test scores in both low and high-achieving schools.

Educate to Innovate

Last January, President Obama launched his “Educate to Innovate” campaign to improve student performance in math and science. The White House says there are three things “we must do”:

• Increase STEM literacy so that all students can learn deeply and think critically in science, math, engineering, and technology.
• Move American students from the middle of the pack to top in the next decade.
• Expand STEM education and career opportunities for underrepresented groups, including women and girls.

KnowAtom supports the president’s mission. Creating a strong understanding of science at the elementary level promotes strength carried into middle and high school. Our curriculum encourages abstract thinking by requiring students to experience scientific concepts with their senses. Hands-on learning engages students across genders as well as racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The KnowAtom curriculum can be implemented is any-size school or district. Our support system was built to make the transition as easy as possible:

Organic Implementation

In some instances, districts start the KnowAtom curriculum with champion classrooms as a way of building teacher leaders who are able to mentor colleagues in following years.

Materials

All unit materials are re-stocked and delivered by KnowAtom to teachers’ individual classrooms or a central facility as arranged by administration. Materials are delivered according to a schedule set by the administrative pacing guide. This allows teachers to have a continuous supply of unit-specific materials prepped and ready to go.

Support

KnowAtom appoints experienced technical support teachers to answer questions about activities and curriculum content. Queries are returned quickly and continue until an issue is resolved.

Technology

Several KnowAtom lessons require computer access. If computer labs are not available, KnowAtom leases laptops for classroom use.

The KnowAtom curriculum follows a multi-spiral structure and gradual release of responsibility. Each year, students are exposed to state-standard specific material required, which layers and increases in depth as students transition to later units and grades.  In doing so, students receive a comprehensive review of previous scientific concepts as they apply these concepts to new inquiry-based activities, expanding their knowledge.

Kindergarten- Pre/K

Observation, Informal Experimentation, and Data Collection

• Focused on Science around the Child, Senses, and Basic Properties of Materials

Grade 1

Science History, Properties and Design Following Function

• The Origins of Science, Designing for Force and Motion

Grade 2

Fascinating Unanswered Questions

• Giants of the Deep, Dinosaurs, Search for Life in Outer Space

Grade 3

Introduction to Science and Engineering

• Orientation to fundamental scientific specialties and modern contributions

Grade 4

Scientific Method & Engineering Design Process

• Focus on formulating data based conclusions through scientific lab notebooks, isolating variables, precise scientific language and using diagrams.

Grade 5

Process Design

• Forensic analysis of tasks identifying elements of scientific method and engineering design process. Student structured multiple trial experiments with focus on isolating variables. Collecting appropriate data and extrapolating results.

Grade 6

Advanced Process Design

• Student designed science and engineering experiments with focus on student integration of all Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) areas. Emphasis on navigating ambiguity in results through presentation and defense of decision-making.

Districts and schools that choose KnowAtom receive curriculum binders for each of their teachers, classroom technology, visual aids, and durable manipulatives, as well as all the materials needed to carry out the hands-on activities. Using proprietary logistics KnowAtom sends each individual classroom its materials and consumable kits on a regular schedule. The robust KnowAtom content and inquiry projects are supported through a unit specific replenishment process. This reduces the need for teachers to spend valuable time finding, prepping, and distributing science resource materials.

Each unit within the KnowAtom Curriculum binder is broken down into the following sections:

Overview
This opening section provides teachers an opportunity to connect with the 21st-century applications of the unit’s topic, as well a unit summary and goals.

Content Background
A short and easy-to-read review of the unit’s scientific content explaining the vocabulary and goals.

Technology Integration
Library research is combined with computer sensor technology to give students experience gathering and analyzing their own data, just like professional scientists.

Inquiry Class Activities
Broken down into lessons, KnowAtom provides the step-by-step instructions to carry out scientific discussions and hands-on activities with students using materials provided by KnowAtom.

Reinforcement and Extensions
Activities are provided to aid teachers in reinforcement of unit concepts and vocabulary. Extensions are provided as an aid in fully integrating KnowAtom into the classroom’s curriculum.

Leveled Student Reader
A non-fiction resource document linking directly with teacher lesson plans that students can use to review the unit’s content and vocabulary. These color student readers include visuals and age-appropriate news stories.

Further Info
For web-enabled communities, KnowAtom provides links to articles, interactive websites and videos from around the Internet that supplement the unit’s topic.

Assessment
Formal and informal assessments are included along with suggested rubrics to gauge student understanding of concepts including vocabulary.

Elementary Science Education for the 21^st Century

Science and technology frameworks across the nation have been called “a mile wide” by some and “unreasonable” by others. Today’s educator is under extraordinary pressure to present a range of complex scientific information in a way that authentically engages students and gains points on standardized testing.

KnowAtom is a Massachusetts-based science education organization that helps elementary schools meet this challenge. We provide inquiry-based, hands-on science curriculum for Grades K through 6, aligned specifically to your state’s standards.

The KnowAtom approach saves teacher time and money with fully prepped student materials, background material for educators, leveled student readers, parent e-mails and assessments. With each unit, KnowAtom infuses the skills needed in the 21^st century and takes into account demands of a busy classroom. We’ve assembled all the resources you need to conduct an inquiry-based science class that is memorable and relevant to students’ lives and testing.

Watch KnowAtom’s Third Grade Curriculum in Action:

This curriculum is uniquely designed to spiral unit-to-unit and year-to-year so students get a layer of understanding of all the frameworks and exposure to multiple contexts as the years progress. KnowAtom material reinforces and builds from year to year with fresh inquiry activities. This hands-on component also becomes more advanced as students mature within the year and from grade-to-grade. Students go from basic inquiry at the beginning of third grade to designing their own experiments in grade 5.

Schools who have worked with KnowAtom are already seeing negative trends reverse and excited students who look forward to each science class. KnowAtom has made demanding frameworks manageable and fun to teach with all the supplies and tools needed to achieve performance without teaching to a test. We hope we can add to your school’s success.

To learn more about KnowAtom curriculum call 617-475-3475 x 2006.

KnowAtom offers schools science, engineering and technology curriculum that addresses their state standards and excites elementary students Pre-K through Grade 6 with inquiry-based lessons and activities. Our in-school science curriculum engages students with 21^st-century topics through materials prepped hands-on activities, digital technology, and Socratic dialog. KnowAtom’s approach to science helps schools meet all state science and technology curriculum standards, increasing student achievement and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.