Using ESSER Funds for Science with Pivot Interactives 

August 3, 2022

Using ESSER Funds for Science with Pivot Interactives 

Many district leaders aren't sure if/how to use ESSER funds for science... yet their science programs are struggling to implement phenomena-based active learning, in alignment with NGSS or similar state standards. Pivot Interactives is a research-backed science supplement that supports the goals of ESSER funds and makes it easy for science teachers to engage students with phenomena! Try an activity for yourself.

Pivot Interactives is a research-backed science supplement that supports the goals of ESSER funds and makes it easy for science teachers to engage students with phenomena!

What are ESSER Funds?

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) was enacted to combat learning loss, address mental health needs, and help schools stay open. With a historic $122 billion in funding, schools are encouraged to leverage the funds to “expand programming and services to help students make up for lost learning time and succeed”. 

Read the White House Memo here

In conjunction with The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSA), the American Rescue Plan (ARP) provides provisions for state & local educational agencies through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER Fund). Any unused funds will be forfeited on September 30, 2022.

Can I use ESSER Funds for science? 

Yes! Pivot Interactives is a research based science supplement for phenomena-based, active learning. It fulfills the intentions & goals of ESSER in various ways.

Pivot Interactives: Research-backed, Phenomena-based Active Learning for Science 

Through three different research studies, Pivot Interactives was shown to be highly effective in helping students understand science, use science practices, and engage in critical thinking. Through fascinating, interactive videos, students use, measure, and analyze phenomena to learn science. With Pivot Interactives, teachers have a dynamic platform filled with tools that provide students access to explore scientific phenomena and develop their skills in the science practices. 

Using ESSER funds for Science with Pivot Interactives 

Pivot Interactives is highly effective and can be used to reinforce important literacy and numeracy skills while building and reinforcing science and engineering practices and content. Here are a few ways Pivot Interactives supports the goals & uses of ESSER funds for science. 

  • Use the immediate feedback (Hattie, 2019) embedded in Pivot Interactives allows for timely feedback to students in order to guide them toward mastery. Feedback allows for accelerated learning by reinforcing correct concepts and adjusting incorrect concepts (Feedback effect size is .66, nearly 1.5 times greater than typical instruction at .40). 
  • Use data collection & analysis of phenomena Pivot Interactives activities to develop statistics skills in real-world situations. This also supports data collection, analysis, and evaluation in the science and engineering practices. 
  • Pivot Interactives reinforces NGSS and state-related standards, including weak areas that are challenging for students to understand, further compounding learning gaps. Address learning loss, without further burdening teachers with Pivot Interactives.
  • Close reading may be modeled by the teacher to ensure students understand critical nonfiction information in the text of the Pivot Interactive activities. In addition, opportunities for students to write allow literacy integration into science through meaningful phenomena-based science activities. 

We would love to work with you to secure funding through ESSER to use Pivot Interactives. Reach out and let’s chat or email us at sales@pivotinteractives.com.

What about using ESSA, Title IV Funds for Science?

ESSA, Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Program often can also be used to support science programs through Pivot Interactives.

"The SSAE program is intended to improve students’ academic achievement by increasing the capacity of State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and local communities to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education; improve school conditions for student learning; and improve the use of technology to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students."

Learn more about ESSA Title IV Funds here.

We would love to work with you to secure funding through ESSA, Title IV to use Pivot Interactives. Reach out and let’s chat or email us at sales@pivotinteractives.com.

I’m a teacher. How do I use ESSER funds to get Pivot Interactives? 

In most districts, ESSER funds will be allocated by district-level leadership. Let’s work together to share why phenomena-based, active learning is important in your classroom. Email us at sales@pivotinteractives.com with your name, district, and position, and let’s chat. 

For more ideas on other funding sources, check out the Tips to Get Funding for Pivot Interactives blog.

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