Dear Dr. McMillon,

It was a pleasure attending the CAAASA UNITY event earlier this week. Your role as Executive Director of Student Services in Rialto puts you at the intersection of student support and academic outcomes, and that is exactly the kind of holistic approach we believe in at Discovery Collective.

I was encouraged to learn about Rialto's declining suspension rates and improving graduation outcomes. Those are signs that the whole-child investments your district is making are working. At the same time, with math proficiency at 23.73% districtwide and 13.29% for African American students, I know there is still important work ahead.

We developed ModelIt, a STEM simulation platform that engages students in hands-on computational modeling of real-world phenomena. We recently launched environmental science modeling lessons inspired by the Disney film Hopper, where students explore ecosystems, pollution, and sustainability through interactive simulations. Knowing Rialto's commitment to environmental STEM through the STEM CARES program and Ten Strands partnership, I think your students would love these lessons. ModelIt is designed to be accessible and engaging for all learners, including students who may not see themselves as "STEM kids." Given Rialto's 1:1 device infrastructure and your Equity Action Teams, the conditions are right for a tool like this.

I would welcome the opportunity to share more about ModelIt and hear how student services and academics are working together in Rialto. Would you be open to a 15-minute call? I would also appreciate it if you might be willing to pass our information along to Dr. Juanita Chan-Roden, your Director of Science and Career Programs. I believe there could be a strong connection between what she is building and what we offer.

One thing that stood out at this year's CAAASA conference was how many educators are asking the same question: how do we prepare our students with the skills that industries are actually looking for? ModelIt brings a research-grade computational modeling platform into K-12 classrooms, teaching students a skill that is already used across science, engineering, healthcare, and technology, so they are building that foundation now rather than trying to catch up later. Scientists and researchers already use this same platform for biotechnology, environmental science, and healthcare research. This is computational modeling within the NGSS framework, the same skill behind some of the fastest-growing, highest-paying careers in STEM today and into the future.

A glimpse of ModelIt in action:

Build it: Students connect real-world components to construct scientific models step by step

Run it: Watch the model come to life with real-time data and interactive graphs

Watch the MicroMayhem Preview (30 sec)

Visit us at modelitk12.com

Warm regards,

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Dr. Marie Martin
Vice President of Education
ModelIt / Discovery Collective
marie@discoverycollective.com
(310) 709-4893

CAAASA UNITY Outreach