5 Tips for Getting Funding for Science Interactives Tools

As teachers ourselves, we understand the challenges of finding funding for teaching resources. We know that budgets vary widely from school to school, and that in many cases teachers don’t have access to funding required to purchase subscriptions to use interactives in your science classroom. We have talked to many teachers who have been successful in getting funding for Pivot Interactives. The purpose of this blog is to share their ideas in hopes that they’ll be helpful to other teachers.

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1. Why Administration Should Support Funding

First, gather reasons why school administrations should support funding the platform. When talking to administrators who can help with funding, help them see why it matters and use data whenever possible. For example, with Pivot Interactives, teachers could share the following :

• ‍Pivot Interactives has been shown to be effective at teaching higher-order science learning skills such as developing and using scientific models. A controlled study conducted at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls showed that students who used the interactive videos, guided instructions, and graphing tools found in Pivot Interactives learned to construct and apply scientific models better than students who did not. In fact, students who used interactive video showed learning gains even when the control group used hands-on apparatus to learn the same skills. The results of this study provide evidence that Pivot Interactives is an effective (and award-winning) tool for teaching science‍

• Students enjoy working with Pivot Interactives . A survey conducted by a research group at MIT showed that students preferred our interactive video over other types of problems, such as word problems or computer simulations. Similar results were reported in surveys conducted at part of the University of Wisconsin study. This is also one of the most consistent feedback we hear from teachers about why they like using Pivot Interactives: students think they are cool.‍

• Pivot Interactives teaches science practices that are required by Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), new Advanced Placement exams, and other state standards. The focus in science education has shifted from memorization of content to mastery of the process of science. Teachers need new tools, and Pivot Interactives is specifically designed by teachers to fill this gap. Pivot Interactives activities are designed to help students practice and master all the Science and Engineering Practices.‍

• Pivot Interactives makes it easy for teachers to provide opportunities for interactive and active learning. Active learning teaching — where students interact with the content rather than listen to lectures — is more effective than lecture-based teaching. But preparing effective interactive lessons can be time consuming for teachers. Pivot Interactives classroom-ready activities allow teachers to include more interactive teaching in their class. Students can collect their own data and perform their own analysis and then share their approach with other students. This balance of collaboration and individual work means students learn from each other while also being responsible for demonstrating what they have learned as individuals.

2. Show the Power of the Tool in YOUR classroom

Try it out and share the impact it had on you and your students! Encourage administration to try it out too! Don't think they will test a free trial? Share a quick video, like this intro video, contact the company to set up a demo.

Pivot Interactives offers a 30 day free trial so teachers & administrators can test it out and see the impact for themselves.  

BONUS: Check out the Pivotal Bloggers blog posts to get more ideas on how you can use a Pivot your classroom as part of a well-balanced unit plan.

3. Consider a Pilot Program with Measurable Results

Teachers have been successful in gaining funding by outlining for the administrator what the outcomes would be.  

For example, one teacher wanted to use Pivot Interactives to improve science process skills. The teacher incorporated Pivot Interactives in to a SMART goal, with the aim that 80% of students in an on-level physics class would demonstrate mastery of linearizing a data set and stating the physical meaning of the slope and intercept of the equation. Further, the teacher agreed to share the results with the rest of the department as their curriculum migrates towards NGSS.

Another teacher suggested that her administrators supported her efforts because she already had a history of successfully innovating interactive teaching in her classroom. She presented Pivot Interactives as part of a cohesive approach to interactive teaching, not just a fad or short-term fix.

4. Team up with Teachers of other Science Disciplines

Expand how the tool can be used. If it can be applied to other disciplines, team up with those teachers to show the value across classes! Additionally, per-student costs often decrease with higher quantity licenses.

Pivot Interactives has content for Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, and Environmental Science. This means that students will not only be familiar with the platform, but they will also be able to connect each of their classes, and experience the same phenomena from the lenses of each class.  

5. Look for Other Funding Sources

Even if administrators agree that a tool is worth funding, finding a source of funds may not be straightforward. One of the most consistent suggestions we’ve heard from teachers is to look beyond the teacher’s discretionary budget for lab equipment.  

For example, Pivot Interactives is a new genre, a new kind of educational tool, and can be funded by technology innovation funds or curriculum funds, not just capital or equipment budgets.

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Use ESSER or ESSA, TITLE IV Funds

We have a whole blog post about using ESSER Funding for Science with Pivot Interactives. Check it out here.

ESSA, Title IV, Part A, Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Program often can 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.

In most districts, ESSER & ESSA funds will be allocated by district-level leadership. If you are a teacher, 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.

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We are here to help!

We understand the challenges and want to assist you, our fellow teachers & educators. Need a powerpoint, flyer, case study, or demo presentation? Just ask!

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