Kathleen Schofield, a recent Clay County educator currently serving as director of K-12 programs for the Northeast Florida STEM 2 Hub, has been selected for a national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) leadership development program.
STEM Ecosystems: Ecosystem Spotlight on Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub
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STEM2 Hub and business partner IJHANA launch web design program for Q.I. Roberts High School students with AT&T grant funding
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Sept. 1, 2017 — The Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub is launching a new web design program for high school students in Putnam County, funded by a recent grant from AT&T Aspire.
WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: Q.I. Roberts Junior-Senior High School
901 State Road 100
Florahome, FL 32140
Web Design Krewe will teach students at Q.I. Roberts how to design and launch a website for a small business or nonprofit, emphasizing skills such as communication, coding, and website development to build a talent pipeline for the future workforce. Students will participate in a series of competitions or “Milestone Meetups” throughout the year, and then present their work in the spring.
“Our goal with STEM after-school programs is to expose K-12 students to STEM concepts, technologies, and processes that embolden and excite them about their potential if they choose to pursue a STEM career,” said Robert Copeland, executive director of the STEM2 Hub. “This partnership with the Putnam County School District will help us reach even more students with the message that STEM skills are vital to their future, and open their eyes to the wealth of opportunities in these fields.”
“This partnership with the STEM2 Hub and IJHANA provides our students with a rich, experiential opportunity that will help them master the challenges of higher education and the workforce in the 21st century,” said Mary Wood-Piazza, Q.I. Roberts’ principal.
“As an entrepreneur and business strategist, I know firsthand how important it is to create a pipeline of students who are knowledgeable and experienced in areas like product and process design and digital strategy. Through Web Design Krewe, we fully expect students to acquire these important skills and visualize themselves using them to become the business leaders of tomorrow,” said James Higbe, a partner at IJHANA.
About the Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub
The Northeast Florida Regional STEM2 Hub represents an investment initially made by 15 companies headquartered in the region. The mission is to convene, inspire, and invest in the STEM2 field by providing the essential missing elements to accelerate the growth of STEM2 education and careers in the 7 North Florida counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns. For a list of the current corporate board members and more information about the STEM2 Hub in Northeast Florida, visit our website at stem2hub.org.
Putnam County School District to receive new federal funding for free afterschool programs
PALATKA, Fla. Aug. 25, 2017 — The Putnam County School District has been selected to receive a 21st Century Community Learning Center Program grant, valued at $3.3 million over the next five years, which will expand opportunities for academic enrichment outside of school hours at no cost to families of students at seven Putnam County schools.
“Competition for this particular grant has become more competitive than ever, so we are exceptionally proud to share the good news that through the 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Putnam County families will have new and affordable opportunities for academically enriching afterschool activities. This is one more way we can work together to set our students on course for successful futures,” said Putnam County Schools superintendent Rick Surrency.
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math. They are designed to offer students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs.
The programs will be offered to students at the following schools, Monday through Thursday:
Palatka, Interlachen, and Crescent City High School, 3:45—6:15
Robert H. Jenkins, Jr. and George C. Miller Middle School, 4:00—6:30
Moseley and Interlachen Elementary School, 2:40—5:10
Bus service will be provided home at the end of the day. Applications are available at participating schools or online at putnamschools.org, and a start date for the program will be announced soon.
The program will be offered in collaboration with PCSD STEAM, a school, community, and business alliance to equip Putnam County students with 21st century skills. Activities such as chess, public service leadership training, coding, environmental science, robotics, aviation, and arts will be available. The Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub will support a new Bicycle Club, teaching students the engineering design process through project-based learning experiences where students break down and reassemble a bicycle, solving problems and discovering math and science principles at work.
“The 21st Century Community Learning Center programs are an ideal platform for rich STEM learning opportunities, as we inspire students to appreciate the many ways math and science can be applied in the world around us. We are excited to partner with the Putnam County School District and reach as many students as possible with the message that STEM learning is vital to their future success,” said Robert Copeland, executive director for the STEM2 Hub.
About the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub
The Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub represents an investment by 15 companies headquartered in Jacksonville to convene, inspire, and invest in the STEM2 field by providing the essential missing elements to accelerate the growth of STEM2 education and careers in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. For a list of corporate board members and more information about the STEM2 field in Northeast Florida, visit our website at stem2hub.org.
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STEM2 Hub Partner Renaissance Jax to Host Robotics Kickoff at Jacksonville University
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Aug. 25, 2017 — Renaissance JaxTM, Northeast Florida’s FIRST LEGO League competitive robotics affiliate, will host a kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 2 introducing coaches, teachers, parents, and students to the “HYDRODYNAMICS” and “AQUA ADVENTURE” themes presented by FIRST LEGO League and FIRST LEGO League Jr. for the 2017-2018 competition. The event will be held at Jacksonville University, the Official Education Partner of Renaissance Jax.
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 2
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. – FREE and Open to the Public
WHERE: Jacksonville University
Larry Strom Amphitheater (located on the riverfront)
2800 University Blvd. N
Jacksonville, FL 32211
Representatives from Renaissance Jax and the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub will be available for interviews about the importance of robotics in STEM education and careers. Local students from ages six to 16 participating in the robotics leagues will learn more about the new Robot Game mat, mission models, and scoring. This year’s global themes highlight the importance of water as a natural resource, and students will be asked to problem-solve using their robotics skills for how societies should find, transport, use, or dispose of it. Read FIRST’s national announcement for the 2017-2018 season.
“Renaissance Jax is excited to continue its work with FIRST in Northeast Florida and is thankful to the local partners like the STEM2 Hub, Duval County Public Schools, and Jacksonville University that provide support to the effort,” shared Mark McCombs, the Executive Director of Renaissance Jax. “We have spent the entire off-season preparing to give the kids an experience that will ignite their passion for learning and we cannot wait to get started.”
“Robotics plays a vital role in educational STEM programming for students, and Renaissance Jax has truly championed the expansion of these opportunities in Northeast Florida,” said Robert Copeland, executive director for the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub. “There’s no substitute for programs like FIRST Lego League to open students’ eyes to new possibilities for their future, and we are so pleased to partner with Renaissance Jax for another year of rewarding, exciting STEM learning.”
“The partnership between Jacksonville University and Renaissance Jax provides an impactful opportunity for Northeast Florida students. We’re creating unique experiences that offer participants in FIRST Robotics a holistic, lifelong connection to their creativity, robotics, and STEM as a whole. We’re proud to be the Official Education Partner of Renaissance Jax and will continue to be at the forefront of enhanced STEM offerings to students K through 12, and beyond,” said Clayton Levins, the community relations coordinator for Jacksonville University.
About Renaissance Jax, Inc.
Renaissance Jax is a non-profit organization dedicated to invigorating technology culture in Jacksonville, Florida. As an official Lego League Affiliate Partner for FIRST, we help Jacksonville-area kids and teenagers explore their love for engineering and technology in a fun, educational environment that promotes academic and career achievement.
About the Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub
The Northeast Florida STEM2 Hub represents an investment made by 15 companies headquartered in Jacksonville to convene, inspire, and invest in the STEM2 field by providing the essential missing elements to accelerate the growth of STEM2 education and careers in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties. For a list of corporate board members and more information about the STEM2 field in Northeast Florida, visit our website at stem2hub.org.
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