TRDA FUNDS NEW LOCAL SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR YEAR 2000
University of Central Florida program one of six funded with $1.079 million in grants

COCOA, Fla. - Officials with Florida's Technological Research and Development Authority (TRDA) recently awarded the University of Central Florida/Florida Solar Energy Center a $140,000 grant to launch a pilot program that provides teacher training to improve science and math skills in students using an environmental investigation process. The Environmental Issues Education: Air Pollution, Global Warming and Alternative Fuels program joins one other new program, plus four renewed programs, to total a $1.079 million dollar TRDA investment into Florida education.

The Environmental Issues Education: Air Pollution, Global Warming and Alternative Fuels program consists of professional development workshop opportunities for pre-service and in-service middle-school teachers, where they will receive the training and resources needed to teach students about air pollution, global warming, alternative fuels for transportation and solar energy. A total of 10 workshops are planned statewide in 2000.

In addition, an "environmental issues" Web site will also be developed to provide teachers who participate in the program a method for communicating with one another, as well as sharing ideas, tips and results.

Finally, each participating teacher receives two Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) vehicle kits and registration in the statewide JSS competition, to be held in May 2000. The JSS is a national competition, in which teams of middle-school students design, build and race model-sized, solar-powered vehicles. In addition to the race, the JSS features environmental exhibits, "rides-and-drives" in alternative fuel vehicles and panel discussions with experts.

"Through this experience, students will demonstrate to teachers, parents and the general public, their knowledge and skills on the topics of air pollution and its potential remedies," said Susan Schleith, energy education coordinator at the University of Central Florida/Florida Solar Energy Center.

"This program is a great hands-on, educational experience for students," Antone said. "Kids love to build things and then watch to see how they turn out. The JSS-angle of this program is truly magical. It definitely gets kids interested in science and math. We look forward to seeing great results from this program," he added.

The TRDA also awarded a new grant totaling $59,000 to the University of Florida (UF) for the Materials Science and Engineering for Teachers program. This one-week workshop provides teachers with tools they can use to provide real-world examples of how basic science concepts are used in the field of materials science and engineering. Faculty from UF, as well as working scientists and engineers, will give lectures on materials science and engineering, metals, ceramics, polymers and electronic materials and provide hands-on demonstrations to give teachers actual laboratory experiments they can use in their classroom. The TRDA grant allows the three-year-old program, which had been focused towards high school and community college teachers in Alachua County, to be expanded to teachers in grades 4-12 within the same district.
In addition to the two new programs, the four education programs which received renewed TRDA funding in the year 2000 were:
 
· Virtual Science Mentor - This program sparks student interest in science and math by using state-of-the-art technology to bring scientists and engineers into Florida classrooms for "virtual visits" and to serve as mentors. Sponsored by Florida Gulf Coast University, the program received a $250,000 grant.

· Small Scale Chemistry - This program uses an innovative, hands-on approach that relies on everyday items to teach general chemistry. Students use inexpensive and readily available equipment (i.e. toothpicks, straws, plastic pipets, etc.) to perform sophisticated chemical experiments, thereby promoting creativity and problem-solving skills. Sponsored by Midwest Research Institute, the program received a $130,000 grant.

· Florida EXPLORES! - This program is designed to spark students' interest in science and math by placing satellite weather technology into the classroom. The TRDA trains teachers how to use the technology, so they can teach students how to forecast weather by reading, recording and interpreting data. Sponsored by Florida State University, the program received a $250,000 grant.

· Continuing Technology in Education - Formerly known as "Global Positioning Systems," this program uses fun and exciting technological equipment to teach students how to tackle difficult geometric and algebraic concepts. Sponsored by the University of Central Florida (UCF), the program has expanded for the year 2000 to include not only GPS, but other technologies as well. The UCF grant totaled $250,000.

A total of 26 proposals were submitted to the TRDA for funding consideration in the year 2000. "We developed a strong list of criteria, goals and objectives that all submitting programs had to meet," Antone said. "Proposals were scored in each category, with the top finishers becoming our funded programs."
Programs were judged on such items as use of innovative technology, degree of math and science concentration, amount of teacher training provided, level of participation from the school district, practicality and providing teachers with a turn-key tool for classroom use. All of the programs also had to adhere to the Sunshine State Standards.

"We have a plate full of great educational programs for 2000," Antone said. "Our future depends on producing students who are interested in pursuing technological careers. These TRDA education programs help pave the way to accomplishing this dream."

The TRDA, established by the Florida legislature in 1987, delivers cost-effective transfer of cutting-edge technologies to schools and small businesses throughout the state. The TRDA administers and initiates programs to address Florida's educational needs, to enhance space research and to spur the state's economic growth.