- September 6, 2024
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For some students, gazing at the stars is a perfectly acceptable way to advance their education.
That's due to a school district with offerings like a planetarium, not to mention a marine science facility, robotics clubs, technology career pathways and more, in the realm of in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
“I do feel like we have a very rich offering,” said Rachael O’Dea, deputy superintendent and chief academic officer of Sarasota County Schools.
The district offers supplemental STEM activities with one example being the robotics clubs, often VEX teams.
These programs include design kits and challenges in elementary school, and hands-on experiences in secondary schools, while they also involve participation in competitions.
The Technology Student Association at McIntosh Middle School was an exciting opportunity for Kuba Mohrbacher, a seventh grader, who had been interested in robotics since association instructor Brent McClenathen showcased them for Mohrbacher's class in elementary school.
“I always thought that was really cool, and I wanted to be able to build a functioning robot that I could control and just play around with and just have a fun time with,” he said.
The district also offers magnet programs like Sarasota High School's MaST Research Institute, where students pursue science experiments of their own devising, with the program covering the cost of most supplies.
"It definitely is the type of research that contributes to the field," said Andy Harshman, the program's leader. "A lot of (the students) get published as undergrads in college."
Many STEM opportunities come from outside, through partnerships with organizations like Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, STEMania, Around the Bend Nature Tours and Ed Explore SRQ.
In order to take a field trip, students don't necessarily have to leave school district sites.
For instance, they can experience Riverview High School's Stars to Starfish field trip program, which encompasses both its planetarium and its Aquadome.
The school-owned planetarium, which opened in 2010, offers programming for all ages and is equal in size to the 50-foot planetarium dome at The Bishop Museum in Bradenton.
Meanwhile, at the Aquadome, high school students perform research projects with numerous marine species while showcasing the facility to younger visiting students.
“When you’re little you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, those kids are so cool,” said recent graduate Morgan Sims, who chose Riverview as her high school due to the Aquadome. “It’s fun to be that person.”
“It’s way more powerful having the high school kids teaching than if we were teaching. That’s what really makes it work,” said Director of Aquascience Katrin Rudge.
O’Dea said a key aspect of the district’s STEM offerings is equipping students with skills for the future through a "very rich" set of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
“We have to continue to keep up with what our students are going to be asked to thrive within in the future,” O’Dea said.
She highlighted the presence of 23 CTE courses for middle schools and 16 in high schools, with some examples including biomedical sciences, applied engineering and electrocardiographic technician.
Meanwhile, an agreement with Suncoast Technical College currently provides over 30 high school dual enrollment programs with free transportation, with some options being nursing, automotive technology and marine mechanics.
The college also hosts career skills challenges for secondary schools and “Experience” career luncheons where students can speak with professionals within an industry.
There’s still more to come.
One major offering will be a new STEM-focused K-8 school currently taking shape on Skye Ranch and planned to open during the 2025-2026 school year.
The school has plans for an exclusive partnership with Mote SEA, the facility of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium currently under construction beside Nathan Benderson Park.
The relationship will provide students with not only field trips but also hands-on educational programs.
