Michigan State University researchers and their partners plan to create a model for teaching elementary students science while also improving their skills in math, reading and writing. The project is funded by a five-year, $5 million grant from Lucas Education Research, a division of the George Lucas Educational Foundation. Executive Director Kristin De Vivo said the goal is to bring the benefits of project-based learning – an approach that encourages kids to explore real-world problems – to more classrooms throughout the nation. Joseph Krajcik, director of Michigan State’s CREATE for STEM Institute, will lead colleagues from MSU and University of Michigan as they design and develop materials for grades 3 and 4. Teachers working in under-resourced communities will assist in testing and enacting the new learning units with as many as 1,800 students over the five years, focusing not only on making the curriculum effective but also personally relevant in students’ lives. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. To read more, please visit http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2015/george-lucas-foundation-grants-5m-to-msu-for-science-math-and-literacy-education/?utm_campaign=standard-promo&utm_source=msuedu-news-links&utm_medium=msuhome.