SEBASTIAN — 180 students at Sebastian River High School’s Automotive Academy will have the opportunity to see for themselves how what they are learning in the classroom is used in various occupations, thanks to an AT&T “STEM at Work” grant.
AT&T Florida has provided $100,000 to challenge Florida’s district-wide local education foundations to create STEM workplace experiences throughout the state this school year through a grant to the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF.)
The project’s aim is to provide students hands-on experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom that are directly linked to their coursework in science, technology, engineering, and/or math.
Problem-solving, real-world application of STEM education concepts, and critical thinking skills will all be key elements.
With $220,000 in funding the last two years, 85 projects involving 7,380 students and 57 local workplace partners took place throughout Florida. Similar outcomes are anticipated for the 2012-13 project with 40 funded projects impacting a minimum of 1,000 students and includes more than 40 local workforce partners.
The Sebastian River High School’s Automotive Academy is joined in this project by Vero Beach Toyota. The project, “Let’s Go Places with STEM,” seeks to provide students at Sebastian River High School, Automotive Career Academy Students 1, 2 & 3, the opportunity to prepare for the automotive industry based on N.A.T.E.F. standards by applying their classroom knowledge to real world applications.
Specifically, students will practice these skills on an automobile that is less than five years old. This is a requirement of N.A.T.E.F.
Presently teachers and school staff offer up their vehicles to enable students to meet these requirements. The grant for $2,000 will be combined with additional funding and support from the Education Foundation of Indian River County and Toyota of Vero Beach.
“We are pleased with this partnership, because Florida’s K-12 education foundations are well positioned to be the link between schools and local businesses that can make these critical connections for students,” said Marshall Criser, III, AT&T Florida President.
“By concentrating on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math curriculum, this program will provide real life experiences that can help increase the number of Florida’s students graduating high school college and career-ready,” Criser added.
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About the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF):
CFEF is the membership organization for Florida’s school district-wide local education foundations. Established in 1987, CFEF seeks to advance student achievement in Florida by increasing private sector investment and involvement in public education.
CFEF now has 55 member foundations with 1,100 business and community leaders serving as volunteer board members. Collectively, they raise more than $40 million annually to support students, teachers, and schools through a variety of programs.
CFEF has provided more than $20 million to local education foundations since 2002 through various private and public sector partnerships, including the State of Florida School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program.
