All 56 Brevard County Elementary Schools to Embrace STEM Learning
August 20, 2024 – “Everything Brevard” has published a comprehensive article that captures the excitement of a new initiative that will extend to all 56 Brevard County public elementary schools for the 2024-25 school year. STEM teachers will be introduced to each of the schools.
Funded by the millage referendum approved by county voters, STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics – an extremely appropriate initiative for the children of rocket scientists and anyone who wants to keep up with the modern world.
The entire article is worth reading, but here are a few highlights:
Imagine classrooms filled with the enthusiastic chatter of young students, as they don safety goggles while diving into hands-on activities and experiments like elephant toothpaste. Students will explore grade-appropriate STEM concepts through interactive lessons designed to spark their curiosity and creativity. Each STEM teacher is equipped with engaging materials to meet state science standards, while also having the freedom to tailor lessons to fit their students’ unique needs.
A remarkable feature of the Viera Elementary School STEM Lab is their Augmented Reality (AR) Sandbox that was made by a former student, Thomas Carlisle. It came to fruition two years ago when Principal Adrienne Schwab and Marcoux discussed the idea with sixth-grade students after touring the University of Central Florida’s GeoBus.
Thomas ran with the idea. He researched the materials, prices, and wrote up a plan, which he presented to the PTO; they funded the whole project. He built the sandbox from scratch and then coded images that project down onto the sand. As students play with the sand, they can build piles and divots that the projection interacts with to create topography. It’s fun for the kids and a clever and innovative way for students to learn about different topographies. The AR Sandbox is now a predominant feature within the lab.
“The AR Sandbox highlights the collaborative spirit of our students, teachers, and PTO,” Dr. Rendell said. “When you expand the boundaries of education beyond books, students achieve results beyond our expectations.”
As students grow older, their STEM journey continues at Brevard Public Schools with 111 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs currently offered. The district plans to expand CTE over the next five years to include 17 additional programs.
Through the innovative STEM programs in Brevard Public Schools, students are not just preparing for their future careers — they are embarking on a thrilling journey of discovery that makes learning fun and impactful.
As the school bell rings for the 2024-2025 school year, Brevard County is not just shaping the skilled workforce of tomorrow; it is fostering a culture of curiosity and creativity that will inspire generations to come, propelling them toward the stars and beyond.
The article is filled with examples from around the county showing how students exposed to these skills not only learn the STEM skills but also find a wonder and enthusiasm for learning itself.
Read the entire article here: