— Florida teacher wins 2011 Outstanding Biology Teacher Award from The National Association of Biology Teachers
[Stephen M.] Anand teaches Advanced Biology and Honors Biology at A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. … He also coordinates a yearly Marine Research Development Trip to Key Largo for his students and has also taken groups of students to Europe.
— A new program teaches African-American kids they can be astronauts, architects and any other professional who uses math and science.
Fewer than 20 percent of NASA workers are African-American, but a science educator is hoping her new math and science program that teaches kids to build pyramids from mathematical equations and gumdrops will change that.
Glenda Moton, the founder of Science with a Twist (SWAT) started the initiative in 2008. She is recruiting top scientists from NASA and forensic experts to show the kids how math and science can be cool. Think CSI Miami mixed in with The Magic School Bus.
— Research program in Fort Pierce brings science to life for would-be teachers
Growing up, Jennifer Abbott, 34, of Port St. Lucie thought scientists were nothing but boring men in bland, white coats who conducted frivolous experiments that didn’t apply to real life.
Her conceptions all changed this summer when she took part in Indian River State College’s first-ever Research Experience for Pre-Service Teachers program. The program, funded by a $2.8 million grant from the National Science Foundation, allowed Abbott, a science education major at the college, and five fellow peers, the opportunity to conduct live research alongside scientists from the Ocean Research Conservation Association, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and the Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce.
— Students at STEM camp engaged in hands on activities
If there ever was a camp for youngsters who want to know how and why things work, it must be the one at the Charles R. and Nancy V. Perry Center for Emerging Technologies hosted by Santa Fe College (SFC).
Funded through the Perkins Initiatives, the weeklong day camp focuses on and encourages rising ninth graders to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Over a dozen students from around Alachua County, including at least four expected to enter Santa Fe High School, took part in the hands-on experiments and observations.
Lined up like a science extravaganza, students did everything from an archaeological dig to setting off rockets.
— Speedway educates teachers with racing lessons
Car engines roared and heat radiated from the pavement in the garage area at Daytona International Speedway as about two dozen teachers toured the facility Friday, stopping frequently to snap photos and learn the science behind the fast cars and famous track.
The close-up look at the race cars was part of a multiday Driving SCIENCE program designed to promote awareness of motorsports careers and encourage schools to use racing to teach students about math, science and technology. The group included teachers from middle and high schools in Volusia, Flagler and Seminole counties.
— Two UF experiments will be on board final shuttle mission
NASA is ending the space shuttle program, but University of Florida researchers expect other ways to get their experiments into space.
Two UF experiments will be aboard the space shuttle Atlantis for the final launch of the program, scheduled Friday. The experiments are testing the effects of low gravity on two very different things: beneficial bacteria in baby squid and a plant used to make an alternative fuel.
— Teacher does extreme science this summer
Middle-school teacher Lisa Friend, whose hometown is Port St. Lucie, is spending the summer delving into cutting-edge science at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Tallahassee.
Friend, who teaches at Manatee Academy Middle School, is one of 15 teachers spending the summer doing extreme science at the Magnet Lab, one of only nine such labs in the world. Teachers accepted in the prestigious, six-week, residential program are matched with mentor scientists. During their stay, the teachers have the unique opportunity to explore materials and phenomena at extreme magnetic fields, pressures and temperatures.
