It’s going to be an exciting new year for middle school scientists!
Science teachers from all of Manatee County’s traditional public middle schools attended a training session at Johnson K-8 to learn about the new learning materials for their classrooms.
Eighth grade students will be interacting with Woz ED science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) kits, thanks to funding provided by the voter-approved millage referendum.
Fourth and fifth grade students are already using the science kits daily.
The School District of Manatee County began their partnership with Woz ED in 2020 when Palm View K-8 became the first Woz Pathways school in Florida.
Woz ED, founded by Apple II computer creator Steve Wozniak, is an educational program geared towards helping youth become career-ready.
The kits, which include hands-on experiments, include topics such as properties of matter, changes in matter, energy transformation, astronomical relationships and more.
On Tuesday, middle school teachers shared ideas and heard from Kristen Morphew, a St. Johns County teacher and trainer for Woz ED.
The educators learned how to instruct students on the Law of Conservation of Mass using water, a cylinder, a balloon and an Alka-Seltzer tablet.
Andrea Nestvold, VP of Transformational Resources for Woz ED, was also on-hand to provide resources or assistance with the science kits.
Secondary Science and Health Education Specialist Amber Platowski says this “experiential learning” will help students retain information and absorb what they’re learning.
These engaging and fun lessons have been proven to make students more curious, confident, collaborative and creative.
For more information, please visit the Woz ED website.