Motorola STEM Solutions for Florida s Future Year End Report

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1 Connecting classroom curriculum to STEM careers for Florida s future workforce Motorola STEM Solutions for Florida s Future Year End Report Final Grant Report Submitted to the Motorola Solutions Foundation June 2018 By the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations

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3 For the past seven years Florida s students have continued to find STEM Solutions! Since 2011 the Motorola Solutions Foundation has partnered with the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations to support student achievement in STEM areas through $5,000 grants to local education foundations to distribute for quality teacher projects in their district. Here is what we have accomplished together through $350,000 in Motorola funds provided to date: 66 projects have been completed 18,572 students have been impacted 169 STEM business partners have been engaged and a total of $436,275 has been invested Local education foundation participants were challenged to develop partnerships with local businesses or other relevant stakeholders in developing programs aligned with unique opportunities, resources and workforce needs of their geographic area. They applied through a competitive grant process and were required to incorporate at least 20 hours of student-business partner contact hours in their project. Inside this report is a glimpse of the tremendous impact these projects have had this year throughout the state. Thank you Motorola Solutions Foundation!

4 In alone, Motorola STEM Solutions impacted: 2,121 Students 42 Teachers 24 Local Business Partners

5 Positive Impact! 81% of student participants showed increased interest in taking STEM classes in the future 78% of student participants showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major 76% of student participants showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career 63% of student participants increased STEM-subject grade by at least a half letter grade

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7 Applied Underwater Robotics Broward Education Foundation South Broward High School Grades students impacted 1 teacher participated This project provided equipment, software and professional development for high school students and teachers to support STEM initiatives through computer-aided design and underwater robotics. Students used computer-aided design software to develop the components of an AUV and robotic arm and, using the additive manufacturing process (3D Printing), produced the design components. Then they tested the design in a controlled in environment (swimming pool). Twenty-four students passed the Auto-desk Certified User Exam, equipping them with marketable 2D and 3D design skills. Business partner Baxley Ocean Vision helped develop the framework for the project and the search and rescue professionals at the Broward Sheriff s Office discussed advances in technologies that assist with their operations, including ROVs, robotics and helicopters. Students will participate in Skills USA in Urban Search and Rescue, Mobile Robotics, Computer Programming, and Engineering Design competitions. Students will also compete in the Sea-perch ROV and MATE ROV competitions. 83% of participating students increased STEM-subject grade 73% of participating students showed increased interest in taking STEM classes 68% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career 68% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major

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9 Coding with the Web Krewe Clay County Education Foundation Fleming Island High School Grades students impacted 2 teachers participated This project s goal was to have students gain experience in creating individual and business websites, using a cloud-based web development platform. Students worked collaboratively, leaning on each other to plan and problem-solve throughout their projects, modeling the IT work environment. The students built two websites: one for a small business, and the other for the education foundation. But not only that, the students learned to communicate, work through deadlines and the business process, communicate their work with a larger audience through demos and hands-on learning outreach in this area, and to persevere through problem solving. There was competitive element to the program, where teams came together to compete on their design principles. Business partners attended all team meetings, guided the learning of the principles of coding and website development, and mentored the students as they worked on website design. The business partners Ijhana, STEM2 Hub, Alluvion Staffing, Microsoft and Naval Air Station Jacksonville Engineering Group also mentored the students in business management and creativity. Some students were offered the opportunity to participate in internship experiences as a result of the program. 83% of participating students showed increased interest in taking STEM classes 83% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major 83% of students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career 16% of participating students increased STEM-subject grade

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11 Agri Robotics Flagler County Education Foundation Indian Trails Middle School Grades students impacted 1 teacher participated The goal of this program was to create a Farmbot, a robotic gardening system, as a completely self-sufficient system to introduce students to the new concept of opensourced production farming and how to integrate robotics and agriculture. It incorporated not only robotic systems but also tied it to local vocational skills throughout much of our county in agriculture. This project gave students a hands-on experience into the possibilities of crop production in the 21st century. Students learned how to control the Farmbot by creating a program to run using their school-supplied laptops. They had to think about weight distribution, balance, center of gravity, durability, self-reinforcing designs, and cost effectiveness when building their robots. They were able to schedule a watering timetable, weeding schedule, and plant layout for their garden through the downloadable program. The students learned how to physically build their raised bed gardens and how to assemble the high-tech system. One of the project components this year was the addition of a project cost analysis on the robot they built for each group s final project. Teaching the students how our economy is rapidly changing and the effects of it has been very beneficial, not only for the students but for the teacher as well. Together with business partner VerdeGro, they have learned how the addition of technology hasn t decreased the number of jobs, but it has changed the skills required for new jobs. 50% of participating students increased STEM-subject grade 47% of participating students showed increased interest in taking STEM classes 43% of students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career 43% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major

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13 Mission: Tampa Bay Hillsborough Education Foundation Swift Creek Middle School Grades K students impacted 14 teachers participated Mission: Tampa Bay is a girls-only underwater robotics program supported by the Tampa Bay STEM Network and associated partners. The program is facilitated by National Geographic Explorer Erika Bergman and hosted at TBSN partners. Students built underwater ROVs from scratch, including welding and soldering at MOSI and The Florida Aquarium, inclusive of an overnight stay at the aquarium. On the third and final day of the camp, parents and families were welcomed out on the Florida Aquarium Catamaran while the girls worked in teams to operate their ROVs in Tampa Bay. After the immersive experience, the ROVs were taken back to school sites and the girls facilitated additional projects, experiments and the like with their peers. This element addressed leadership skills, team-building and confidence in STEM. Students impacted by this year's camp were encouraged to continue to take additional electives in STEM, as well as attend STEM-related out of school time experiences. As a result, some participants have been invited to mentor and facilitate a summer camp experience at The Florida Aquarium and have an opportunity to serve as a robotics play guide at the Glazer Children's Museum. This year's camp attendees will also be invited back in 2019 to serve as mentors/facilitators. All participants are now a part of National Geographic Explorer, Erika Bergman's "STEM Girls Club." 100% of participating students showed increased interest in taking STEM classes 100% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major 100% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career

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15 Bradenton Area Drone Olympics Manatee Education Foundation Nolan Middle School Grades students impacted 7 teachers participated This was a successful program initiative that engaged seven classes that served as "Drone Test Labs" and received Tiny Whoop drone kits. Students worked in teams learning how to build it, work in BetaFlight software, and how to maneuver the drone through a set flight pattern. Students also explored the use of drones in the 21st Century workplace. Each school held individualized races to narrow down the number of pilots headed to the Olympics. The program included two professional development workshops for teachers and students by GetFPV, the drone vendor, who also sent out technicians to the schools for individualized support. United Drone Services, LLC, a local provider of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight services and customized data analysis, provided numerous presentations to the students regarding the practical use of drones. Other partners included SOFWERX who hosted Sugg Middle School's inschool challenge, FlyMotion Classroom and Manatee County Fire Department. The program culminated with the first-ever Bradenton Area Drone Olympics held at the Manatee Technical College. 95% of participating students showed increased interest in taking STEM classes 90% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major 80% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career

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17 Powering the Future of STEM Polk Education Foundation Bok Academy Grades students impacted 2 teachers participated During this project students addressed and researched past, present, and future energy sources of production. They designed a virtual circuit board and built a miniature solar house to demonstrate how electricity travels from the power plant to a home. Classes integrated micro:bit and chibitronics coding kits for light box and utilities packages activities. This newly acquired knowledge and hands-on exploration of how energy is created and controlled in a reaction, along with disaster preparedness, provided a basis for earth science activities: designing and testing a wind turbine; safe solar viewing; and tracking the sun s path to determine the optimum angle for energy generation by a solar panel. The teacher presented the project nationally at the NSTA, STEMcon and CEISMIC Conferences. One of the biggest impacts of the project was increased student awareness with community partners Duke Energy and Florida Energy Systems Consortium. It introduced partnered students with organizations that expanded awareness, knowledge, and understanding of energy. The partnerships and career support from them and the real time hands on component actualized classroom studies and provided students involved with real in the field projects. 91% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major 80% of participating students showed increased interest in taking STEM classes 80% of participating students increased STEM-subject grade 67% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career

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19 Energizing Girls Engineering Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools Milwee Middle School, Grades students impacted 4 teachers participated This project allowed female students an opportunity to meet once a month for breakfast, complete an engineering activity, engage with guest speakers and enjoy food and fellowship with each other. With our Florida Solar Energy Center partner, students learned about solar energy and hydrogen fuel cells and used the knowledge gained to complete several different hands-on engineering builds. While at the solar energy center the girls were taught by female engineers and the girls felt free to ask questions not only about the energy topic but about how the instructors chose their path and the obstacles they faced and had to overcome to get to their position. With partners Altamonte Springs Life Magazine and the Grow Central Florida Foundation, the girls were challenged to design their own tennis shoes. Students then took project ideas and final products and presented the project as a part of a How to Increase Girl Involvement in STEM presentation to the ITEEA convention. Students were exposed to a CSI unit at the Orlando Science Center and heard from an IT instructor at Seminole State College on IT careers and program studies. Students will continue the Girls Engineering Breakfast Club and working to increase involvement. Several students are joining the school Technology Student Association Team and VEX Robotics Team. 20% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career 20% of participating students showed increased interest in taking STEM classes 15% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major

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21 Gone with the Wind Tunnel FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools Pine Ridge High School, Grades students impacted 1 teacher participated This project s primary goals were to construct the body tub for a scratch built electric race car and to use that platform to help feeder middle schools construct bodies for their own kit-based electric race cars. The students learned how to fail; in fact, they learned that failure is integral to engineering. They tried ideas, evaluated their strengths and weaknesses, and learned that design and application are vastly different realities. The lightest, most efficient car design possible was the end goal. Aerodynamics were studied and debated, and every measure was taken to decrease the frontal area of the car. Center of gravity was taken into consideration with regards to handling. We had to explore new design software after our original modeling program proved too cumbersome for the organic body shape. Students learned that all the systems on the car are interconnected. If one element was changed, several others had to be modified as well. Students learned hard skills in fabrication, mold making, and composite materials by building the car's body. They also learned soft skills in team work and interacting with the public and business partners Daytona Beach Street Rods and Dougherty Manufacturing. Most importantly though they learned pride in craftsmanship and grit in overcoming problems through continuous improvement. 100% of participating students showed increased interest in taking STEM classes 91% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career 81% of participating students increased STEM-subject grade 64% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major

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23 STEM at Work Florida Panhandle Technical College Foundation Florida Panhandle Technical College, Grade students impacted 10 teachers participated Students gained hands-on experience working side-by-side with STEM industry experts to discover, explore, and solve real-world problems in the STEM areas of aviation science, electrical engineering, aeronautical engineering, robotics, 3D design, and audio/visual technologies: Aviation science was introduced by FPTC instructors, who taught students the science and technology involved in the design and flight of unmanned vehicle systems (drones). Students learned about electrical circuitry and coding by using an Arduino, an opensource physical computing platform based on a simple microcontroller board and a development environment for writing software for the board. With partner Naval Surface Warfare Center, students engaged in a model rocket building activity culminating in a rocket launch. With partner FSU STEM Institute, students were introduced to the science and technology of underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). STEM concepts inherent in the Seaperch activity included: ship and submarine design, buoyancy/ displacement, propulsion, vectors, electricity/circuits and switches, ergonomics, waterproofing, depth measurement, basic physics of motion, and career possibilities. Students were led through a 3D design, CAD and CAM software project, discussing STEM connections and careers in the field. In the future, students will participate in the STEM Club, Rocketry Camp, National Association of Rocketry, the Southeast Alabama Rocketry Society and dual-enrollment career/technical programs at FPTC. 75% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM career 75% of participating students showed increased interest in taking STEM classes 75% of participating students showed increased interest in pursuing a STEM major

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25 Publicity and Additional Project Materials

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27 Social Media Posts

28 Media Coverage

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31 Foundation and CFEF Articles

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35 Quotes Polk County, Powering the Future of STEM I can now read and understand fuel economy. (Student) Now I understand why Mr. Lockett drives a hybrid car. (Student) Future careers in the energy field are everywhere. (Student) Solar energy in our community can create and refine solutions to energy problems. (Student) It s really kind of cool to have solar panels on your roof. (Teacher) Seminole County, Energizing Girls Engineering Milwee Girls Engineering Club has given both my daughters the ability to see Engineering in action. Hands on activities at the monthly breakfast and meeting women engineers at breakfast or on field trips has allowed them to picture themselves as future engineers. (Parent) The girls engineering club has helped me to become more confident in my engineering abilities. Not only did this club help me to discover my passion for engineering, but it let me be surrounded by an awesome group of girls who love and support each other. I know that no matter what path in life I choose, engineering will play a big role in it, thanks to this amazing club and its wonderful contributions to the lives of young girls like me. (Student) Girls Engineering Club has been a fantastic experience for my daughter. As a shy and quiet 7 th grader, Kylie has enjoyed the fun experiments. Her favorite field trip was the Orlando Science Center. There were engineering projects that can t be done during a usual visit. (Parent) Washington County, STEM at Work This was a WONDERFUL opportunity for our students! Kids and teachers alike came back with lots of information and details about things they ve never been exposed to before. Thanks for making that possible. (Principal)

36 On behalf of Florida s local education foundations the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations thanks you for your commitment to enhancing student achievement and interest in STEM careers with your investment in Motorola STEM Solutions for Florida s Future. Mary Chance, President Consortium of Florida Education Foundations P.O. Box Gainesville, FL (352) MaryChance@cfef.net