Brevard Schools Foundation, BPS Showcase Innovative Student Learning Through CFEF Grant
By Space Coast Daily // March 5, 2025
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Brevard Schools Foundation, in partnership with Brevard Public Schools, is excited to highlight the success of the Strategic School Staffing and Teacher Leadership Grant, awarded through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF).
This initiative has empowered teachers and students to engage in collaborative learning experiences that integrate technology and real-world problem-solving.
Two elementary schools—Ralph Williams Elementary and Indialantic Elementary—have participated in this grant, focusing on project-based learning (PBL) and collaborative teaching in a blended learning environment.
The district’s Technology Integrator Team partnered with fourth-grade teachers and STEM teachers at each school to implement hands-on, inquiry-based learning projects.
Williams Elementary: Museum Walk on Coastal Erosion
On Friday, March 7, from 8:15-9:00 AM and 9:15-10:00 AM, fourth-grade students at Ralph Williams Elementary School (1700 Clubhouse Dr, Rockledge, FL 32955) will showcase their PBL projects in a museum walk for third- and fifth-grade students. The students have been exploring the essential question:
“How can we design a solution to help mitigate or reduce the real-world problem of coastal erosion on Florida’s coastline?”
Throughout the project, students:
– Participated in a study trip to the beach, where Brevard Zoo led educational activities.
– Engaged with BPS Facility Assistant Superintendent Sue Hann, who introduced them to the engineering process.
– Explored weathering and erosion through interactive technology lessons guided by BPS Technology Integrators Melissa Woods, Michelle Marshall, and Katy McGregor.
Students have worked collaboratively to design potential solutions for mitigating coastal erosion, and their projects will be on display during the museum walk for their peers to explore and learn from.
Indialantic Elementary: Parent Night on March 6
Fourth-grade students at Indialantic Elementary School have embarked on an exciting project-based learning journey to understand the impact of invasive species on ecosystems and develop solutions to prevent their spread.
The project began with an interactive invasion simulation, where first-grade students “took over” the fourth-grade classroom—occupying desks and even taking snacks—giving students a firsthand experience of disruption, mirroring the effects of invasive species in the wild.
Students then visited Brevard Zoo, where they learned about various invasive species from zoo learning facilitators. Additionally, experts from the Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, including Florida Program Director Jeff Eble and Marine Research Technician Makenna Beehler, spoke to students about the challenges invasive species pose and strategies to combat them.
Collaboration has been a key component of this project, with classroom teachers, STEM lab teachers, and Technology Integrators working together to create meaningful learning experiences. Students engaged in activities such as:
– Creating informational posters on invasive species.
– Developing interactive coded posters to share their findings.
– Designing traps using Strawbees and Microbits to mitigate the spread of invasive species.
The culmination of their hard work will be showcased during Parent Night on Thursday, March 6, at Indialantic Elementary School. Students will present their projects, share their knowledge, and propose solutions to help prevent the spread of invasive species. The event will celebrate students’ creativity, scientific inquiry, and commitment to protecting Florida’s ecosystems.
The Indialantic community eagerly anticipates seeing the innovative ideas these young minds have developed to tackle real-world environmental challenges.
“These events are a testament to the power of integrating technology into learning to create meaningful and engaging educational experiences,” said Janice Kershaw, President/CEO of Brevard Schools Foundation. “By reimagining traditional classroom structures, we are fostering teacher collaboration and equipping students with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world.”
The Strategic School Staffing and Teacher Leadership Grant has provided valuable professional development opportunities for teachers, enabling them to implement project-based learning strategies that make science concepts more engaging and meaningful for students.
Through this initiative, Brevard Public Schools is reimagining traditional classroom instruction by integrating technology, collaboration, and hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for future success.
