San Jose, California – January 14, 2025 – A study reveals that middle school students using Green Ninja’s science curriculum are achieving impressive academic results. This curriculum blends real-world challenges with project-based learning (PBL), and it’s making a big difference, especially for underserved students.
The research surveyed over 4,400 students in six California districts. Results show that students using the Green Ninja program boosted their standardized test scores by an average of 2.5 points. In districts that didn’t use the program, scores actually dropped by 0.6 points. Notably, the percentage of students falling below standard decreased by 13%, indicating improved performance for many students.
The positive effects were especially clear in underserved communities:
- English learners saw a 2.7-point increase, much higher than the state average of 1 point.
- Every district in the study surpassed state averages for economically disadvantaged students.
- There was a 5% increase in students achieving advanced performance levels.
The Green Ninja curriculum is built on research from San Jose State University and emphasizes three important elements:
- Creating personal connections.
- Encouraging empathy for the environment.
- Empowering students to make a difference.
This approach allows students to relate lessons to real-world situations, which boosts their engagement and motivation. The curriculum is structured around three steps:
- Identify: Explore local problems.
- Explore: Discover the science behind these issues.
- Solve: Develop and share practical solutions.
Dr. Eugene Cordero, a professor at San Jose State University and the founder of Green Ninja, explains, “When students connect science to challenges in their communities, learning becomes personal.” Noah Canton, a middle school teacher, adds that the program has inspired many students to pursue careers in tackling global challenges.
At Lincoln Middle School, teacher Holly Rios shares how her students created a waste reduction plan for their school. This initiative showed how classroom learning can lead to real-world impact.
About Green Ninja: This curriculum aims to empower middle school students as leaders for positive change. Initially supported by the National Science Foundation, Green Ninja focuses on climate literacy and engages students with real-world issues through project-based educational experiences.
For more information about the program, visit www.greenninja.org.
Check out this related article: Transforming Education: How a Science-Based School on the Island Just Secured a $50K Donation!
Source linkGreen Ninja, Middle school students, San Jose State University, project-based learning, science curriculum, California districts
