STILES-NICHOLSON STEM TEACHER ACADEMY INAUGURAL WORKSHOP
Monday, Feb 21, 2022
The Stiles-Nicholson STEM Teacher Academy held its first SeaPerch professional learning series at FAU High School - Jupiter Campus, in partnership with Max Planck Academy in February. The workshop was open to Palm Beach County secondary science educators. SeaPerch is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), a competition, and a community of learners which guides educators and their students on building an underwater robot while supplying necessary tools and hands-on learning.
Educators enhanced their knowledge of how to engage students more deeply in STEM real-world applications through innovative and fun classroom activities. All educators who participated received a tool kit and necessary supplies to build the ROV, as well as curriculum resources to equip them to model this learning in their classrooms. The session was led by Allan Phipps, FAU Lab Schools Science Coordinator and Master SeaPerch Trainer, with assistance from James Nance, STEM instructor FAU Lab Schools. Additionally, Angela Moran Ph.D., former Director of the United States Naval Academy STEM Center for Education Outreach presented and assisted in instructing this day-long session.
Through the generous gift of David Nicholson to establish the Stiles-Nicholson STEM Teacher Academy, this first SeaPerch event through the Academy, has the potential to benefit over 1000 students in Palm Beach County Public School classrooms.
Founded by David Nicholson, of the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation, the Stiles-Nicholson STEM Teacher Academy provides educators structured access to the high-caliber research environment of the FAU Lab Schools. By developing and offering experiential professional learning opportunities and experiences for educators, the Academy will provide the resources by which educators will inform instruction, inspire innovation and creativity, and craft a lasting educational benefit for students.