Science:
Scaling
the
Summit
(The View From Brevard…)
Brevard: Who Are We ?
124 Schools
75,160 Students
30% Free/Reduced Lunch
18% Exceptional Ed*
*excluding gifted
Brevard’s Performance
in
SCIENCE
Grade
2004
Mean
2005
Mean
2006
Mean
Rank
2004
Rank
2005
Rank
2006
5th
316
322
329
3rd
1st
1st
8th
309
323
320
4th
2nd
3rd
11th
313
321
322
2nd
1st
1st
100% of Brevard
*
Secondary Schools beat
the state average on
FCAT Science
*non- charter
Brevard Science Fair Winners
2005-06
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67 place awards at State Science Fair
8 First Place winners at State Science Fair
8 International Finalists; 3 ISEF place winners
10 Discovery Young Scientist semifinalists; 2 Discovery finalists
5 Nelson Ying Science Challenge Finalists; 3 Nelson Ying Grand Prize winners
2 Florida Junior Engineering Symposium finalists
1 Young Epidemiology Scholar finalist
1 American Academy of Neurology national award winner
1 Siemens-Westinghouse semifinalist
13 Orlando Science Center/Lockheed Science Challenge First Place winners
Nice View…
(How did we get up
here?)
We Are Lucky!
 Students
 Teachers
 Parents
 Leadership
 Community
Anything Else?
Prioritize Science
Strategic Plan:
 High quality science program
 High quality science research
program
 FCAT science results monitored
Articulated Core
Science Sequence
 K-6 : Elementary Science
 7-8 :
Comprehensive Science
2&3
 9-12: Biology, Chemistry &
Physics
or
Integrated Science I, II & III
Best Practices for Science

Research Based

Stakeholder Consensus

Brochures

Rubric:
Indicators for Quality Science Instruction

Active Engagement in Science Processes
Class Time: Elementary - 60%
Middle - 80%
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
High - 40%
Teacher Recognition
& Retention
 Exemplary Science
Teacher Recognition
Program
 Science Teacher “Hall
of Fame”
 Targeted Support for
New Science Teachers
Details - It’s Elementary…
 Elementary Science Training Cadre
 Points of Contact
 CSI: Brevard Guide
 Funding Support
Lagoon Quest - Grade
4
Space
Week
Grade
6
 Pre- and Post- curriculum
 Family Guide
 Teacher Training & supplies
More Elementary…
 Curriculum Messages
 Instructional Messages
 Assessment Messages
New Elementary Trainings
Scott Foresman
CSI
Science Projects
Performance Tasks
Prior Elementary Trainings
Points of Contact
Earth & Space Guide
Science Projects
New Science Teacher
Steve Spangler
Secondary Professional
Development
 Brevard Science
Conference
 Partnerships with Israel &
Cambridge, Mass.
 New Science Teacher
Workshops & Learning
Clubs
 Specialized Science
Workshops
More Secondary Science
Support
 Performance Task Training:
Focus on Experimental Design
 Excellence as the Standard brochures
 Science Success Through Inquiry Guides
(Grade 8 & Grade 11)
 New District Guides (all science courses)
• Assistance in teaching ALL students
(ESOL, ADHD, Gifted)
• Earth/Space benchmarks in traditional sequence courses
• Suggestions for Honors/Regular
Show Me the Money!
 High Cost Science Funds
 Hands-on Science Funds
BEST Mini-grants for science
 Title II Funds (P.D.)
 Matching Funds for Research
7th Grade BLAST
 Full-day intensive, hands-on learning experience
at KSC’s Astronaut Training Facility and Astronaut
Hall of Fame
 KSC buses
 Pre- and Post- curriculum
 Teacher & Student Guides
 Addresses SSS
Free Summer Camp!
Free summer science camps for
all 8th grade students scoring
below 300 on FCAT Science
Not A Bad Start …
(Now What?)
The Year of Science
Superintendent’s Support
Science is #1 Priority
4 Credits for Graduation
Directive to Principals
School Science Plans
Progress Monitoring
Retired Principals Follow Up/ Support
Brevard is now striving
to ascend to a new level…
onward and upward…
to the Summit!
“You have to do an activity for it
to really stick to your brain.”
Kristen at BLAST