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 4th and 8th 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 21st-century science must be made easy to implement for educators and developmentally accessible for students at an early age.
KnowAtom sets the standard for 21st-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 21st 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 12th 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.
45 Congress St., Salem, MA, 01970