# An interactive, digital platform to transform biological learning

> **NIH NIH R44** · SQUID BOOKS, LLC · 2020 · $750,000

## Abstract

Abstract:
The next generation of health care professionals will need to understand the foundational principles of biology.
Science textbooks play a critical role in supporting biological understanding in school, yet these books are not
designed to meet the diverse learning needs of students in today’s classrooms. By their nature, science
textbooks assume a one-size-fits-all approach to learning. Because of this problem, teachers spend substantial
time outside of the classroom locating and adapting texts to support students who are learning English,
students who read below grade level, and students with learning disabilities. The proposed Fast-Track project
seeks to address the limitations of current Life Science textbooks and to revolutionize reading with adaptable
texts. Transforming the learning process, SquidBooks makes texts flexible by offering digital texts at different
difficulty levels with embedded language support to create a personalized reading experience, optimizing both
learning and engagement. In particular, the project will support ELL students and students unable to read at
their grade level. Because science textbooks are often written 3 to 5 years above the intended grade level, it is
almost impossible for students with emerging and intermediate English reading skills to comprehend and learn
from traditional science books. The Phase I project includes 3 aims: translating NGSS-aligned inheritance
(NGSS LS3A) content into Spanish (Aim 1); designing, developing, and testing the application to function
through a web browser (Aim 2); and conducting user testing with students and teachers (Aim 3). The Phase II
project will have 3 aims, including creating content to address 12 additional NGSS standards in English and
Spanish (Aim 4); designing, developing, and testing improved software features (Aim 5); developing educator
resources and conducting user testing with students and teachers (Aim 6). Successful completion of the
proposed project will create knowledge about disciplinary textual processing and adaptive reading technologies
and will support students who have historically been marginalized from STEM fields, especially students with
low reading achievement and ELL students. In turn, this project will enhance and diversify the STEM and
health care fields.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9970958
- **Project number:** 4R44GM133245-02
- **Recipient organization:** SQUID BOOKS, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelly Puzio
- **Activity code:** R44 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $750,000
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9970958

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9970958, An interactive, digital platform to transform biological learning (4R44GM133245-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9970958. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*