Whitaker Programs

SRO (Student Research Opportunity)

Students participating in the Regional Science Fair are chosen to participate in a Summer Research Opportunity at Florida Gulf Coast University offering them a hands-on experience of collaboration on a complete and genuine research problem from hypothesis generation and initial design, through field and laboratory data collection, and culminating in data analysis and interpretation.  The program is sponsored by the Whitaker Center and is staffed by FGCU faculty and Graduate Student Assistants.

Whitaker Center Summer Institute

Institute Outcomes & Products:
Teachers will acquire . . .

Skills in curricular planning for science and math that emphasize "essential understanding."
Skills that promote and engage students in active learning in science, math, and literacy
A methodology that integrates literacy and math training into a science curriculum
A curricular content background in science topics of their choosing.

At completion of the institute, teachers will retain the following products:

Integrated curricular packages that fulfill State Standards in science, math, and literacy.
Curricular packages will be shared among all participants and be available to other teachers at the participating elementary schools.
A network of teachers interested in science and math education at the elementary school level and science education professionals from the Whitaker Center.  This network will be called upon during the subsequent academic year to assess the effectiveness of this approach to science education.