#United States #California #STEM Education #Dreamscape Learn #California Community Colleges

Enhancing STEM Education Accessibility in California

In a groundbreaking initiative, the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office has announced a pilot program in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, designed to enhance access to high-quality biology education for online learners. Set to launch in the fall of 2025, this program will see 16 colleges across the state incorporating Dreamscape Learn's immersive biology curriculum into their online courses.

Sonya Christian, chancellor of the California Community Colleges, emphasized the importance of equitable education, stating, "California's community colleges serve the most diverse and dynamic student population in the country, and every one of those students deserves access to engaging, high-quality science education, regardless of where they live or how they learn." This initiative aims to bridge gaps in education by enabling online students to gain practical experience through innovative virtual curricula.

The pilot represents an ongoing trend of collaboration between Dreamscape Learn and California colleges. Several institutions, such as Glendale Community College and Merced College, have already begun integrating immersive learning in their on-campus programs. Early research from these partnerships has showcased positive outcomes, with students from diverse backgrounds performing significantly better in courses enhanced by immersive learning techniques. Notably, participants in such courses were nearly twice as likely to secure an 'A' grade compared to those enrolled in traditional courses.

Josh Reibel, CEO of Dreamscape Learn, expressed enthusiasm for this state-wide initiative, recognizing California as an ideal location for expanding immersive learning. "With the forward-thinking leadership behind this pilot, we can change what learning means for thousands of online and hybrid students across the state. For these learners, hands-on experiences are essential, motivating them to persist and succeed."

The ambitious pilot program is part of the Chancellor's Office broader Vision 2030 strategy, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at transforming learning conditions across California's 116 community colleges. This effort has received crucial support from the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges and aims to facilitate partnerships between innovative educational practices and institutions.

Participating colleges include:

• - Barstow Community College
• - Citrus College
• - Coalinga College
• - Cuyamaca Community College
• - El Camino College
• - Feather River College
• - Foothill College
• - Fresno City College
• - Lake Tahoe Community College
• - Lemoore College
• - Los Angeles Mission College
• - Merced College
• - Merritt College
• - Moorpark College
• - Mt. San Jacinto College
• - San Mateo Community College

Dr. Chris Vitelli, President of Merced College, highlighted the importance of access for students in the Central Valley: "Partnerships like these help change that. This technology gives our students access to immersive learning that builds real confidence and opens doors to degrees and careers they once thought out of reach."

Similarly, Dr. Ryan Cornner from Glendale Community College noted the program's potential to provide students with essential tools and skills in an evolving technological landscape. He stated, "This is the kind of innovation that allows us to close gaps in STEM and equip our learners with the necessary tools and skills to succeed in the future."

Since launching in 2022, Dreamscape Learn's 'Biology in the Alien Zoo' course has garnered significant traction in introductory biology classes, reaching over 28,000 students at Arizona State University (ASU), which has since committed to fully transitioning its biology labs to the Dreamscape platform.

Dreamscape Learn represents an innovative blend of advanced pedagogy and storytelling, aiming to redefine education in the 21st century and eliminate student learning gaps. As the largest system of higher education in the United States, California Community Colleges plays a pivotal role in social and economic mobility, supporting statewide strategies like Vision 2030 to reshape the educational landscape for millions of students annually.

For more information about this collaborative effort between Dreamscape Learn and California Community Colleges or to explore the transformative effects of immersive learning experiences, visit DreamscapeLearn.com and the California Community Colleges site.

In summary, this partnership heralds a new era of educational accessibility, where immersive learning technologies pave the way for a brighter future in STEM education for California's diverse student population.