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The Impacts of KiwiCo Learning Crates on Elementary School-Aged Learners

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Title: The Impacts of KiwiCo Learning Crates on Elementary School-Aged Learners
Language: English
Authors: Alan J. Reid, Johns Hopkins University, Center for Research and Reform in Education (CRRE)
Source: Center for Research and Reform in Education. 2025.
Availability: Johns Hopkins Center for Research and Reform in Education, 300 East Joppa Road Suite 500, Baltimore, MD 21286. Tel: 410-616-2338; Fax: 410-324-4444; Web site: https://education.jhu.edu/crre/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 24
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Elementary Education
Descriptors: Elementary School Curriculum, Elementary School Students, Elementary School Teachers, STEM Education, Student Motivation, 21st Century Skills, Art Activities, Hands on Science, Experiential Learning, Teaching Methods, Learning Modules, Suburban Schools, Professional Development, Developmentally Appropriate Practices, Learner Engagement
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate teachers' implementation practices and their perceived impacts and attitudes towards the use of KiwiCo learning crates with respect to student motivation, interest in STEAM, and development of 21st century learning skills. This case study utilized a mixed methods research design that administered an online survey via Qualtrics, which included Likert-type items and open-ended questions, and interviewed teachers who had used KiwiCo learning crates in their classrooms. All respondents (n = 91) taught in a single school district in the western part of the United States, which is located in a large, suburban locale and includes a total of 30 elementary schools with more than 15,000 elementary school-aged students district-wide. Teachers had varying degrees of familiarity with the learning crates, but there were two groups, specifically, that were investigated: the 2024 summer school teachers (referred to herein as "Summer" teachers) and the 2024-2025 academic school year teachers (referred to herein as "STEAM" teachers). The findings showed that teachers responded positively towards the KiwiCo learning crates. Because of the ample resources and training opportunities, there were few barriers to implementation, and teachers noted that the kits were well-designed and easy-to-use, though their success in the classroom was highly dependent on sufficient preparation on the part of the teacher. Ideally, a learning crate would be test-built prior to implementing it with students to better anticipate learners who might struggle with tasks. Teacher respondents also stressed the importance of aligning the kits with the appropriate age groups; to help with this, some schools partnered older students with younger students to help assist with more complex projects. In conclusion, the KiwiCo learning crates have a sterling reputation with elementary school teachers, who perceive the crates to be well-designed and easy to implement. Survey and focus group data support the finding that teachers perceive the KiwiCo learning crates to improve student attitudes, motivation, interest, confidence, and the development of essential 21st century skills.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: ED671415
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: The Impacts of KiwiCo Learning Crates on Elementary School-Aged Learners
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alan+J%2E+Reid%22">Alan J. Reid</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Johns+Hopkins+University%2C+Center+for+Research+and+Reform+in+Education+%28CRRE%29%22">Johns Hopkins University, Center for Research and Reform in Education (CRRE)</searchLink>
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  Data: Johns Hopkins Center for Research and Reform in Education, 300 East Joppa Road Suite 500, Baltimore, MD 21286. Tel: 410-616-2338; Fax: 410-324-4444; Web site: https://education.jhu.edu/crre/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Curriculum%22">Elementary School Curriculum</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Students%22">Elementary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Teachers%22">Elementary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22STEM+Education%22">STEM Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Motivation%22">Student Motivation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%2221st+Century+Skills%22">21st Century Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Art+Activities%22">Art Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hands+on+Science%22">Hands on Science</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Experiential+Learning%22">Experiential Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Methods%22">Teaching Methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Modules%22">Learning Modules</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Suburban+Schools%22">Suburban Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Development%22">Professional Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Developmentally+Appropriate+Practices%22">Developmentally Appropriate Practices</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The purpose of the present study was to investigate teachers' implementation practices and their perceived impacts and attitudes towards the use of KiwiCo learning crates with respect to student motivation, interest in STEAM, and development of 21st century learning skills. This case study utilized a mixed methods research design that administered an online survey via Qualtrics, which included Likert-type items and open-ended questions, and interviewed teachers who had used KiwiCo learning crates in their classrooms. All respondents (n = 91) taught in a single school district in the western part of the United States, which is located in a large, suburban locale and includes a total of 30 elementary schools with more than 15,000 elementary school-aged students district-wide. Teachers had varying degrees of familiarity with the learning crates, but there were two groups, specifically, that were investigated: the 2024 summer school teachers (referred to herein as "Summer" teachers) and the 2024-2025 academic school year teachers (referred to herein as "STEAM" teachers). The findings showed that teachers responded positively towards the KiwiCo learning crates. Because of the ample resources and training opportunities, there were few barriers to implementation, and teachers noted that the kits were well-designed and easy-to-use, though their success in the classroom was highly dependent on sufficient preparation on the part of the teacher. Ideally, a learning crate would be test-built prior to implementing it with students to better anticipate learners who might struggle with tasks. Teacher respondents also stressed the importance of aligning the kits with the appropriate age groups; to help with this, some schools partnered older students with younger students to help assist with more complex projects. In conclusion, the KiwiCo learning crates have a sterling reputation with elementary school teachers, who perceive the crates to be well-designed and easy to implement. Survey and focus group data support the finding that teachers perceive the KiwiCo learning crates to improve student attitudes, motivation, interest, confidence, and the development of essential 21st century skills.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 24
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Curriculum
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: STEM Education
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      – SubjectFull: Student Motivation
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      – SubjectFull: 21st Century Skills
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      – SubjectFull: Art Activities
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      – SubjectFull: Hands on Science
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      – SubjectFull: Experiential Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Learning Modules
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      – SubjectFull: Suburban Schools
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      – SubjectFull: Developmentally Appropriate Practices
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      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
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