Carolina Biological Supply Company Named Finalist in International Bett K-12 Education Awards for Covid-19 Response Champions

Carolina Kits 3D® FLEX for remote science instruction impressed international education judges with innovative robust remote and distanced hands-on science resources for teachers

BURLINGTON, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE/AETOSWire)-- Leading school science supplier Carolina Biological Supply Company achieved finalist status as Covid-19 Response Champions in the Bett Awards 2021’s education technology awards. Paying special tribute to the companies and schools who responded to the Covid-19 outbreak in a way that has positively impacted the education, health and wellbeing of the student population in combating the pandemic, Bett added new categories to its annual awards competition. For innovating to help schools and educators with solutions to these unprecedented times in teaching during a pandemic, Carolina was one of six finalists named in the Bett Awards 2021’s Covid-19 Response Champions – International Initiatives category, for its new science product line including, Carolina Kits | 3D® FLEX , FLEX Units, and FLEX Digital, to help high schools provide high-quality, hands-on science instruction during Covid-19 disruptions. The solution includes all of the digital and physical components that individual students need to complete science investigations for the entire school year from anywhere, and ready to take home. Carolina Kits | 3D FLEX programs for remote learning are available now and are a full-year lab program for either high school biology or chemistry, intended to complement the classroom teacher’s curriculum and instruction.

The Bett Awards are a celebration of the inspiring creativity and innovation that can be found throughout technology for education. The international awards form an integral part of the Bett tradeshow event each year, the world’s leading showcase of education technology solutions that happens in London. The flagship event is truly international with visitors from 146 countries. Over three days Bett has more than 800 leading EdTech providers, 150 content sessions, coordinated business meetings and networking opportunities. Produced in association with Besa, the Bett Awards highlight organizations that meet the highest standard of excellence in EdTech.

“We are honored to be a finalist for the Bett Awards 2021, an international competition recognizing educational solutions,” said Jim Parrish, President and CEO at Carolina Biological Supply Company. “We are proud of the FLEX program and will continue to innovate on behalf of science teachers.”

The FLEX product is a box of hands-on supplies that contains everything a student needs to complete take-home science labs and assignments from their teachers; from safety goggles to plastic ware to safe, home-friendly chemicals to perform 30 different science investigations. The program includes access to over 120 digital resources, including instructional videos and digital labs, and is also available in an all-digital FLEX Digital version.

Every student is provided with their own materials that can travel with them, so they can do the same hands-on labs, no matter the circumstances or location. If they are working individually in the school due to social distancing guidelines or at home in their kitchen, they can safely perform hands-on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) investigations.

Teachers are vital to the student’s success and the FLEX program provides teachers with extensive resources to be successful with remote learning. From detailed lesson plans to background materials to student worksheets – everything is also included for the teacher. Teachers control the digital resources and assign them as suggested in the lesson plans or as students progress. The program is designed for both synchronous and asynchronous learning.

“It has been a difficult school year for teachers even when they were fortunate enough to resume in-class teaching,” said Mark Meszaros, Ph.D., VP of Core Product Management and Innovation at Carolina. “Bett’s recognition of our FLEX program, specifically designed for remote, in-class and hybrid teaching confirms our approach to improving teachers’ instruction.”

The FLEX program uses a unique blend of hands-on investigations, teacher-led digital demonstrations and digital student investigations to ensure safety, authentic data collection, and valuable laboratory experiences. All hands-on investigations are safe to do at home and offer authentic lab experiences and skill-building opportunities.