The Cedar Rapids Community School District said it received Iowa STEM scale-up grants to introduce the Open SciEd curriculum in district elementary classrooms beginning in the 2025–26 school year.

Justin (host) described the curriculum as “engaging, hands on” and said it will support science learning alongside math and literacy. The podcast said 12 teachers from seven schools will receive summer training to pilot the program in 2025–26.

The announcement did not specify grant dollar amounts, which schools will pilot the curriculum, or assessment metrics for the pilot. No formal board action or vote was recorded in the episode; the segment presented the update as an informational item for families and staff.