SARASOTA - The Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice has funded a comprehensive project to improve student participation and achievement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses in Sarasota and Charlotte county schools. The foundation plans to invest up to $500,000 a year for five years at eight secondary schools to provide professional development for teachers in STEM programs and to encourage students to take STEM classes.
More than 9,000 students are expected to benefit directly from the grant program. The participating Sarasota County Schools are Venice and North Port high schools and Woodland, Heron Creek, Venice and Laurel-Nokomis middle schools. In Charlotte County, Lemon Bay High School and L.A. Ainger Middle School will participate in the project.
Foundation president and CEO Teri Hansen said: “Research indicates that 15 of the 20 fastest-growing jobs through 2014 will require substantial math and science preparation, but Florida, as well as the United States, is failing to develop an adequate supply of STEM‐capable workers. While our economy demands a larger and more proficient STEM workforce, enrollment and success in those courses is rapidly declining.
“”As a community, state and nation, we are falling behind. Florida's students trail national averages in math and science, and lag far behind a long list of quickly-developing countries,” Hansen said. “The time for action is now and the foundation is creating a community-based coalition to tackle this issue."
The foundation developed its project strategies with input from Sarasota and Charlotte County district administrators, principals and teachers. Parents, students, economic development organizations and employers also helped plan the project.
A significant portion of the grant funds will be invested in accelerating teacher preparation to meet Florida’s new Next Generation math and science standards, which will require teachers to present more rigorous materials and to employ new instructional techniques. Project planners have gathered data on best practices and are developing materials with math and science leaders statewide.
Grant funds also will be invested in improving opportunities for students to increase achievement in STEM courses and prepare for postsecondary programs and careers in STEM-related fields. Schools also are expected to collaborate with employers to expose students to real-world experiences in STEM careers and to involve families in encouraging students to participate in STEM programs.
STEM Florida
Over the past year, organized initiatives have been formed in Florida to ensure the availability of a work force with STEM skills. A Florida STEM Council, funded by a $580,000 grant from Workforce Florida, is connecting business, education, workforce and economic-development leaders.
The Council's mission is to support innovation in existing and emerging industries by promoting a competitive workforce. STEM Florida, a collaborative partnership program led by the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations, was selected to receive the grant funding from Workforce Florida to implement its multi-component strategy.
About Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice
Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice is the largest community foundation in Florida. It has awarded $104 million in grants since 1996 in the areas of arts and culture, health and human services, education, civic affairs, and the environment.