An Initiative of Hillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa, Florida A Presentation for The Council of the Great City Schools October 22, 2010.

STEM InstitutesFor Middle Schools

An Initiative ofHillsborough County Public Schools in Tampa,

Florida

A Presentation for The Council of the Great City Schools

October 22, 2010

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle Schools

Background InformationThe Concern• Attendance Decreased in Certain Middle Schools• Need to Improve Student Performance • Local Community Support Suspect

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle Schools

Background Information

Solution Goals• Bring Students Back to the Schools• Improve Student Expectations and Achievement • Solidify Local Community Support

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsBackground Information

The plan formulated to reach these goals was the development of an attractor program with high student interest, rigorous and authentic learning, and community support.

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle Schools

Background Information

This attractor program became the Middle School STEM Institutes

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsPlanning the

STEM Institute Model • Plan collaboratively with all players• Finalize appropriate schools• Identify high interest “STEM themes” Aerospace, Biotechnology, Pre-Engineering, Robotics

• Develop a practical and sustainable Institute structure

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsDeveloping the

STEM Institute Structure • STEM Teacher Team Core Math, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, and CTE• Cohort and Tracked Scheduled Students and Teachers in 6, 7, and 8th

grades• Admission criteria established• Rigorous, authentic, and integrated curriculum utilized

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsDeveloping the

STEM Institute Structure • Teacher STEM team staffing is critical• Professional Development plan established• Advisory Boards and Community Partners• Marketing and Public Relations

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsBenefits of the STEM Institute • Mind On, Hands On learning creates a culture of success• High School course credits in Middle School• Field Trips and special recognitions• Collaborative District Institute Events Robotic Competitions, Student Showcase• Articulation to rigorous High School programs IB, STEM Magnet, Career Academies

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle Schools

Initial STEM Institute Results • Overall school enrollment increased• Student test data positive & above average• Teacher retention at about 95%• Student program retention very high• Public and Education community support • Two new STEM Institutes for 2011 – 2012 Pre-Med/Health and Environmental Resources

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsWhy Implement a STEM Institute

in Your School District? • Students value their education when they participate in authentic “real-world” activities.• Student STEM exploration in the middle schools leads to rigorous high school pathways• Innovation, Technology, and Engineering drives the economy• Employment in STEM fields is abundant

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsSharing What Are We Learning

From The STEM Institutes• Academics and applications must be taught together• Students must invent, discover and explore when they are young• Students stay in school when the curriculum connects to the real world• Funding for STEM themed programs must increase• All STEM focused curriculum, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math should be required

STEM Institutes For Middle SchoolsHillsborough County Public Schools, Tampa Florida

STEM Institutes For Middle Schools

Thank You For Your Interest in the Middle School

STEM InstitutesRobert Weinberg

Curriculum & STEM InitiativesCareer & Technical Education

Hillsborough County Public [email protected]