KnowAtom Press

North Reading, Massachusetts, November 13, 2025 (Newswire.com) Students in North Reading Public Schools achieved the highest science scores in Massachusetts on the 2025 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) for elementary Science and Technology/Engineering.

New virtual student participant, SocraBot, helps K-12 students engage curiosity, build peer-to-peer understanding, and think more deeply - together

IPSWICH, Mass., May 5, 2025 (Newswire.com) - KnowAtom, a leading provider of hands-on, inquiry-driven core science curriculum for K-8, has announced the launch of SocraCircle+, a groundbreaking classroom discussion tool that uses artificial intelligence not to generate answers - but to cultivate deeper, more human conversations in real time.

At the center of SocraCircle+ is SocraBot, a virtual student participant who models curiosity, reflects on peer contributions, and helps students explore, agree, disagree, and extend their thinking in meaningful ways.

"In many of today's edtech tools, AI is used to help teachers or students do more of the same - create faster, polish more, or extract content through Q&A interfaces," said Francis Vigeant, CEO of KnowAtom. "But more of the same simply produces more of the same outcomes. SocraCircle+ asks a different question: How can AI help students become more authentic, connected, and curious humans in conversation with one another? That's where learning lives."

SocraCircle+ supports live, student-centered discussion across any K-12 subject - including science, ELA, social studies, SEL, and more. Teachers can launch a discussion in seconds. As students contribute, SocraBot responds naturally in real time, offering thoughtful follow-ups, modeling high-quality reasoning, and prompting students to consider ideas from new angles - just like a reflective peer would.

Unlike AI tools that replicate or automate teacher work, SocraCircle+ is designed to elevate student voice and reduce reliance on teacher-led prompts or curriculum scripting. It's built on KnowAtom's own research and long-standing classroom results: clients consistently rank among the top performers in state science assessments, thanks to a pedagogy rooted in decades of cognitive science, educational research, and practical implementation.

"At KnowAtom, we understand that learning is the result of interplay between culture, problems, questions, and ideas - and dialogue is the nexus where they meet," Vigeant said. "SocraCircle+ brings that dialogue to life at a deep level."

Built-in multilingual support allows students to participate in most native languages, with responses translated for the group, ensuring a voice for all students. SocraBot never provides links or external content, and student identities are anonymized within the platform to create a safe, focused environment.

SocraCircle+ is now available at no additional cost to KnowAtom's science curriculum customers. Educators can log in to their KnowAtom portal today to begin using the tool. For teachers who don't have access to KnowAtom's next generation science curriculum portal, free trials are available on KnowAtom's SocraCircle+ page.

For more information, visit www.knowatom.com or contact press@knowatom.com

Manchester-Essex Regional School Students Gain 17 Points and Reading Public Schools Improves by 3 Points to Rank in the Top 10% of 279 School Districts

Reading, Manchester, Essex, and Ipswich Mass., November 26, 2024 - Fifth-grade students from Manchester-Essex Regional School District gained 17 points on the Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS) and Reading Public Schools students gained 3 points on the state-wide science test in 2024, scoring in the top 10% of the 279 school districts in the state. Both of the public school districts, tied in the rankings at 18th, partner with KnowAtom, a nationwide provider of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based hands-on curricula. 

Massachusetts’ North Reading Public School District Ranked 1^st in the State

NORTH READING, Mass. - Fifth-grade students from North Reading Public School District in Massachusetts achieved the best test scores in the state on this year’s Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS). The school district ranks first in the state, considered one of the best in the nation for public education, for elementary science this year. The North Reading Public School District is partnered with KnowAtom, a Massachusetts company and nationwide provider of K-8 Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based curricula.

“The commitment of our district's science leaders and educators supported with access to KnowAtom's high quality instructional materials provide amazing learning opportunities for all students.  We take great pride in our students' experiences and celebrate their curiosity and ability to utilize science practices to solve real life problems,” said Sean Killeen, North Reading’s Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning.

Massachusetts’ Carlisle Public Schools Elementary Students Achieve Top Scores in 2024

Carlisle, Mass. November 12, 2024 - Fifth-grade students from Carlisle Public Schools achieved top scores in the state on this year’s 2024 Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS). The school district ranks fourth in the state for science, considered first in the nation for public education by Consumer Affairs. Carlisle Public Schools partners with KnowAtom, a nationwide provider of hands-on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based hands-on curricula. 

District-wide, 81% of fifth-grade students from Carlisle Public Schools met or exceeded expectations set by the state on this year’s MCAS, representing a 3-point increase over the district’s 2023 scores. Statewide, only 44% of Massachusetts students met or exceeded proficiency levels (MCAS Data, 2024). Carlisle Public Schools uses KnowAtom’s hands-on science curriculum, which is designed for hands-on screens-off mastery of Massachusetts Science and Technology Engineering Frameworks. Another KnowAtom partner in Massachusetts, North Reading Public Schools, ranked 1^st in the state this year for science.

Massachusetts’ Orange School District Achieves 26-Point Increase in Science Proficiency

ORANGE, Mass., November 7, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Fifth-grade students from Fisher Hill Elementary School achieved their highest-ever proficiency levels on the Next Generation Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS) in 2024. The school district partners with KnowAtom, a nationwide provider of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based hands-on curricula. Leanne Lovell, a 5^th grade teacher at Fisher Hill says, “The students are more engaged than ever using KnowAtom. Each student has their own supplies, and they feel like real scientists.”

Students from the rural Massachusetts community of Orange, MA, gained 15 points over last year’s state test results. These scores also represent a 26-point improvement over the district’s results in 2022 and are just nine points shy of the statewide average.

Easton, MA (11/01/2024) – Fifth-grade students from Easton Public Schools improved proficiency levels by five points on the Massachusetts Common Assessment Program for Science (MCAS) in 2024, scoring 12 points higher than the statewide average. The school district currently partners with KnowAtom, a nationwide provider of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based hands-on curricula.

SALEM, Mass., June 9, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Research from Dr. Tracy L. Waters at Northeastern University highlights the changing attitudes, instructional practices, and achievement levels that resulted from the implementation of KnowAtom's Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-designed curriculum. She evaluated KnowAtom curriculum implementation by elementary and middle school science teachers. The KnowAtom curriculum is designed to help teachers connect students with phenomena-based science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning opportunities.

Better science performance is more attainable than previously thought

SALEM, Mass., June 23, 2021 (Newswire.com) - A recent study conducted by Northeastern University has revealed a transformative outcome for students and teachers who utilize curriculum based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This third-party instrumental case study was designed to investigate the experiences of fourth and fifth-grade science teachers as they implemented the KnowAtom curriculum, which is specifically designed for mastery of NGSS standards.

Schools with Top Student Achievement During COVID-19 Share Hands-on
Science Curriculum

SALEM, Mass., July 12, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Research from Northeastern University's Dr. Tracy L. Waters shows a shift in teaching methods and belief in what students can achieve through hands-on, collaborative learning with the implementation of KnowAtom's Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-based K-8 curriculum. Dr. Waters evaluated implementation by teachers who had been teaching the KnowAtom curriculum for at least two years and who ranged in teaching experience from 2 to 25 years. Her study participants reported a shift in their own understanding of the different processes, practices, and results that can come from collaborative science investigation in the classroom.

SALEM, Mass., July 5, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Since 2015, at least forty-five states and D.C. have adopted or adapted K-12 science education standards guided by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), according to research from Northeastern University's Dr. Tracy L. Waters. This means the vast majority of U.S. students are learning under standards designed to build the skills needed to join the workforce of the future. Waters' research shows fourth and fifth-grade students using KnowAtom's hands-on NGSS-based science curriculum demonstrated measurable increases in achievement levels, engagement, and classroom behavior.

Study Shows Adoption of NGSS-Based Teaching Models Shift Teacher and Student Thinking

SALEM, Mass., June 28, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Research from Northeastern University's Dr. Tracy L. Waters, "The Effects of the Next Generation Science Standards on Teaching Practices: An Instrumental Case Study," shows schools combining KnowAtom's research-based instructional practices with the program's new model of professional development achieved measurable increases in student learning and engagement. Looking at fourth- and fifth-grade teachers using KnowAtom's next-generation science standards (NGSS)-based curriculum for the first time, Waters identified changes in teaching methods, beliefs about teaching and learning science, and increased responsibility given to students in their own learning process.

KnowAtom partnership brings transformational curriculum and professional development to K-8 classrooms

SALEM, Mass., June 14, 2021 (Newswire.com) - Bringing science to life with KnowAtom in a phenomena-based approach to hands-on science and engineering transforms both teachers and their students.

SALEM, Mass., June 7, 2021 (Newswire.com) - When science curriculum integrates research-based methods and teacher partnerships, it creates a clear path for putting ideas into action in the classroom and improving overall outcomes. KnowAtom, curriculum designed for the Next Generation Science Standards, delivers a shared platform for best practices that goes beyond a product into a partnership for next-generation teaching practices.

KnowAtom brings Next Generation Science Standards to U.S. elementary and middle school science classrooms.

SALEM, Mass., June 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Science curriculum in some schools has come a long way from rote memorization and lectures. In fact, today's Next Generation Science Standards are transforming science classrooms across the United States, welcoming in better test results, teaching practices and professional development opportunities along the way.

SALEM, Mass., May 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- An evaluation of KnowAtom curriculum implementation by elementary and middle school science teachers showed changing beliefs and attitudes about teaching and learning related to next generation science standards (NGSS), according to Northeastern University researcher Dr. Tracy L. Waters. The findings are spurring adoption of student-led, collaborative teaching models for science instruction in schools nationwide.

SALEM, Mass., November 19, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Engaging students in meaningful tasks and pedagogy needs to take center stage within classrooms, Massachusetts Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley told a conference of close to 300 K-8 educators earlier this month, hosted by KnowAtom. 

SALEM, Mass., October 22, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Two KnowAtom schools lead Massachusetts in science scoring on the 2018 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), according to the most recent data from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

The J. T. Hood Elementary School and L.D. Batchelder Elementary School were two of only four schools in Massachusetts with more than 90 percent of its students scoring “Advanced” or “Proficient” on the most recent statewide science standards-based assessment.