Florida Tech to Host Summer STEM Institute for High School Teachers Starting June 4

Immersive Program Designed for High School Faculty

Florida Tech, a nationally ranked university, and leader in STEM education, will offer two-week summer residence workshops for high school STEM teachers on marine and environmental science and mathematical modeling with applications to science and engineering. (Florida Tech image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech, a nationally ranked university, and leader in STEM education, will offer two-week summer residence workshops for high school STEM teachers on marine and environmental science and mathematical modeling with applications to science and engineering.

The immersive program creates an opportunity for school districts to provide high school STEM teachers with a unique, two-week professional development experience in STEM curriculum development and pedagogy.

The two-week, in-residence workshop series at Florida Tech is designed and delivered by the university’s expert STEM educators.

Two separate tracks – marine and environmental science, and mathematical modeling – each has its own theme, and all instructional content in both has been aligned with the subjects and courses that are currently being taught in Florida high schools. Both sessions also provide content and training to assist teachers in course, unit, and lesson development.

Marine & Environmental Science

Held June 4 to June 17, this program, using project-based learning and problem-based instruction, will offer field experiences in living laboratories and environmental science sites.

Participants will explore, discuss and practice multiple area, including estuarine and coastal communities, surface water, groundwater and water supply, wastewater treatment, use and disposal, and Indian River Lagoon waters and circulation patterns.

Mathematical Modeling with Applications to Science and Engineering

Held June 18 to July 1, this program, using project-based instruction, will provide core STEM experiences and instruction that is relevant to in-demand, high-tech jobs.

Participants will explore, discuss and practice multiple areas, including modeling cycles, types of models, and data-driven modeling and insight into facilitating students’ mathematical modeling activities in the classroom.

“We see the impact of STEM education every day in our classrooms and in our student’s success, and we are excited to help empower such an important constituency as our high school teachers,” said associate provost Munevver Subasi, who is overseeing the programs with mathematics professor Tom Marcinkowski.

“Participants will gain invaluable laboratory and fieldwork experience and expand their skills and knowledge in instructional design, teaching methods, and learning theory.”

The all-inclusive cost for each session is $7,000 per teacher, which includes a residence hall room with a private bathroom. The no-housing option is $6,000.

Both include three meals per day at Florida Tech’s award-winning dining hall, Wi-Fi via the university’s high-speed network, on-campus parking, transportation to and from the residence hall and fieldwork sites and for those who are eligible, a stipend and district in-service points.

Teachers interested in participating in this program are required to complete the Teacher Application Form, which requires a principal’s recommendation as well as a superintendent’s commitment to allocate funds to sponsor the teacher’s participation.

Florida Tech will coordinate program payment directly with the school or district after the formal application and approval processes are complete.

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