Heavy backpacks and cracking opening a textbook may soon be a thing of the past in KCPS classrooms. Starting this fall, Kansas City Public Schools will switch to science tech-books.
Discovery Education will provide the digital textbooks to all kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms.
District leaders say the new technology will engage minds and help students with STEM courses: science, technology, engineering and math.
"Within every single unit in kindergarten through fifth grade, there is a focus on some sort of science technology career. And so they will be able to then link what they've learned to career possibilities in the future," said Brandie Newman, a curriculum coordinator for KCPS.
These changes in learning are just some of the many reasons Kansas City is working to eliminate it's digital divide.
"We just want to make sure that residents city-wide are connected, because connectivity is essential in the 21st century economy. You can't do your homework. You can't apply for a lot of jobs," said McClain Bryant, director of public policy for mayor Sly James' office.
Kansas City will host a digital inclusion event on July 15. It's designed to help residents find affordable options to utilize the internet from their homes.
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