HCPS FL Logo Curriculum and Instruction
Information Item
DATE: Tuesday, February 1, 2011
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
TEACHING AND LEARNING PRESENTATION

Middle School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Institutes at Buchanan, Greco, McLane, and Young Middle Schools (Career and Technical Education - Curriculum and Instruction Division)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Initiative:  STEM Institutes were placed into Buchanan, Greco, Madison, McLane, and Young middle schools as high interest attractor programs in the local community.  The STEM Institutes promote best practices for model career academies with rigorous coursework, high student interest, and an authentic STEM theme.  The instructional team at each institute includes five educators who teach in their specific content area of Mathematics, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Engineering Technology.  The instructors and students are typically cohort scheduled for grades 6, 7, and 8 in which the curriculum for this model includes advanced and honors courses in all five content areas.  Students completing the program in all three years are able to earn high school credit in most areas by completion of the 8th grade.

Highlights about what the programs teach and the experiences that students have gained in the programs will be shared with the school board.  The students from each program will bring a project used to demonstrate the skills and knowledge obtained in the STEM Institute at their school. 

Goals:  

  • Provide a rigorous and authentic STEM themed curriculum which prepares students for a relevant and valued high school experience
  • Provide an inviting, collaborative, and integrated teaching and learning model which incorporates a real-world STEM focus

Targeted Population:  The targeted group for this program is students with an interest in STEM themes such as Engineering, Technology, Biotechnology, and Pre-Medical studies. 

Continued on attachment.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates • Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods • Motivate students to become responsible learners • Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum • Provide for a district-wide succession planning structure and visible career ladder
SUBMITTED BY:  Paul Gansemer, Assistant Director, Career and Technical Education
Pamela Campbell-Peralta   Wynne A. Tye
General Director, Career, Technical and Adult Education
(813) 231-1860		   Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction
(813) 272-4221
    B 02
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20110201_452 (Board Meeting) * Section B Item# 02