STEM Programs of Walton County

What is STEM?

STEM education is the intentional integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and their associated practices to create a student-centered learning environment in which students investigate and engineer solutions to problems, and construct evidence-based explanations of real-world phenomena with a focus on a student’s social, emotional, physical, and academic needs through shared contributions of schools, families, and community partners.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education is critical to ongoing economic success in Florida. Nationwide, growth in STEM careers outpaces that of any other occupational category. In addition STEM careers offer higher beginning salaries and more career earning potential than most other fields. Today’s careers require STEM skills at all levels of employment from service industries to engineering. Young adults who do not possess high level skills in mathematics, science and technology are at a significant career disadvantage not only because of the tremendous opportunities for high-wage, high demand STEM careers, but also because these skills are vital for success in other industry sectors. This combination of high need and high opportunity in STEM fields requires us to consider the proper preparation and support for individuals pursuing STEM studies.
STEM education is best sustained by supporting individual content areas as well as integrated experiences. Additionally, integrated coursework and projects can be used to support both the academic standards and the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Standards. STEM education requires an integrated learning approach where problem solving and engineering practices are included, where technology is seamlessly integrated throughout, and where there are high expectations for achievement in mathematics and science. STEM education is not restricted to the disciplines of mathematics and science. Providing safe and healthy school environments as well as coursework in other subject areas (e.g, art, language arts, social studies, health, etc) provide opportunities to improve learning, processing, research, literacy and communication skills that also support and enhance the various STEM programs.

Walton County School District recognizes the importance of STEM educational opportunities for the students of Walton County and have therefore partnered with the following organizations to bring learning to life for our students.

Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance - Grasses in Classes

Grasses In Classes students tend salt marsh nurseries throughout the school year, and receive monthly education on local estuarine topics that meet Florida's state science standards from CBA and CBA partners (e.g. AmeriCorps members). Periodically, the schoolchildren split the grasses to increase the nursery stock. At the end of the school year, Grasses in Classes culminates with students planting their shoreline grasses at one of our salt marsh restoration sites along Choctawhatchee Bay as part of our living shoreline initiative. The program instills a love of local habitat, restores shoreline and inspires the next generation of watershed stewards.
First Lego League

First Lego League's objective is to: make children and youngsters enthusiastic about science and technology, to equip the participants with the idea of team spirit, and to encourage children and youngsters to solve complex tasks in a creative way
FIRST Robotics Competition

FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology. Based in Manchester, NH, the 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math, while building self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills. FIRST is More Than Robots. FIRST participation is proven to encourage students to pursue education and careers in STEM-related fields, inspire them to become leaders and innovators, and enhance their 21st century work-life skills.
Odyssey of the Mind

Odyssey of the Mind views Creative Problem Solving as a method to develop skills in young people that help them thrive in our technical world.
SeaPerch

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) in an in-school or out-of-school setting.
E. O. Wilson Biophilia Center

Area schools visit the Biophilia Center free of charge to learn and study local creatures found in North West Florida and the habitats they live in.
MathCounts

A national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging "bee" style contests.
MakerSpace Club of West DeFuniak Elementary

Makerspaces help to prepare those who need the critical 21st century skills in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). They provide hands on learning, help with critical thinking skills and even boost self-confidence.
SSTRIDE in Connection with Florida State University

Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity & Excellence. SSTRIDE is an outreach effort of the FSU College of Medicine with support from Florida's Area Health Education Centers.
WCSD Science & Engineering Fair

All middle and high schools in Walton County are encouraged to participate in the WCSD Science and Engineering Fair held annually.
AP Computer Science in Connection with College Board

Students who participate in this course will learn to design and implement computer programs that solve problems relevant to today’s society, including art, media, and engineering and they will learn to apply programming tools and solve complex problems through hands-on experiences and examples.
The Advanced Manufacturing Technology Program at FHS in Connection with Northwest Florida Manufacturers Council

This Career and Technical Education program offers a broad foundation of knowledge and skills to prepare students for employment in Advanced Manufacturing and Production positions.
Unmanned Aerial Systems STEM Challenge Sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Challenge participants learn about principles of flight, uses of UAVs, fly UAVs, and take part in a series of UAV flight challenges.
Aerospace Technologies Program at PHS in Connection with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The purpose of this career pathway program is to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and technically oriented experiences in the study of Aerospace Technologies, its effect upon our lives, and the choosing of an occupation.
Aerospace Technolgies Program at WHS in Connection with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The purpose of this career pathway program is to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and technically oriented experiences in the study of Aerospace Technologies, its effect upon our lives, and the choosing of an occupation.
Applied Robotics Program of Study SWHS

The purpose of this career pathway program is to provide students with a foundation of knowledge and technically oriented experiences in the study of the principles and applications of robotics engineering and its effect upon our lives and the choosing of an occupation.
Digital Information Technology Course Offered as Part of the Administrative Office Specialist Program

This Career and Technical Education course provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of the Business Management and Administration career cluster.
Nursing Assistant Program at SWHS

This Career and Technical Education program provides technical skill proficiency, and includes competency-based applied learning that contributes to the academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, technical skills, and occupation-specific skills, and knowledge of all aspects of Health Science career cluster.
Web Application Development and Programming Program at SWHS

The content of this Career and Technical Education program includes but is not limited to the fundamentals of programming and software development; procedural and object-oriented programming; creating web-based applications, including testing, monitoring, debugging, documenting, and maintaining applications.
NASA's SEAP Program

NASA's STEM Education and Accountability Program provides opportunities for participatory and experiential learning activities in formal and informal education settings to connect learners to NASA-unique resources.
DEFENSEWERX (formerly the Doolittle Institute)

Defensewerx proudly manages the FIRST® LEGO® League Northwest Florida Region competitions, preparing today’s students to be tomorrow’s STEM workforce.

This section contains helpful information for teachers pertaining to STEM - Science.

This section contains helpful information for teachers pertaining to STEM - Technology.

ACCELerator Grants Program - NDIA - 2017 ACCEL Grant Application mcr.docx (24.5 KBs)

8 Classroom Grants for STEM and Literacy

TAF Project-Based Learning Grants for Grades 6-12

SparkFun Community Partner Program

Adopt a Classroom

Brinker International Grants

Brown Rudnick Community Grants

Corning Foundation Grants

DonorsChoose.org

Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Grants

Naiku Innovative Teacher Grant

Sony Grants for Education

Chris Brown

Walton County School District

145 Park St.

DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

850-892-1100 ext. 1515

850-892-1195 (fax)

TBA

Walton County School District

145 Park St.

DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

850-892-1100

850-892-1195 (fax)

Alecia Hogans

Walton County School District

145 Park St.

DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435

850-892-1100 ext. 1551

850-892-1195 (fax)

[email protected]

Walton County School Board does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, political or religious beliefs, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law in its educational programs, services or activities or in its hiring or employment practices. Retaliation against an employee for engaging in a protected activity is prohibited. The Board also provides equal access to its facilities to the Boy Scouts and other patriotic youth groups, as required by the Boy Scouts of America Equal Access Act.

Lack of English skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation. The district may assess each student’s ability to benefit from special programs through placement tests and counseling, and, if necessary will provide services or referrals to better prepare students for successful participation.

Applicants/individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may call the District’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer, 145 Park Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435, 850-892-1100, ext. 1111, for assistance.

Menu

What is STEM?

Walton County School District's STEM Commitment

WCSD Proudly Partners with the following Organizations for STEM Educational Activities

SCIENCE RESOURCES

This section contains helpful information for teachers pertaining to STEM - Science.

COMPUTER SCIENCE RESOURCES

This section contains helpful information for teachers pertaining to STEM - Technology.

STEM GRANTS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Coordinator of Instructional Support Services

Digital Learning Specialist - Elementary

Digital Learning Specialist - Secondary

Applicants/individuals with disabilities requesting accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may call the District’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer, 145 Park Street, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435, 850-892-1100, ext. 1111, for assistance.