HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-047-1642 - Creation of the MG Science and Engineering Summer Camp
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 City of Miami Gardens Agenda Cover Memo Council Meeting Date: February 22, 2012 Item Type: (Enter X in box) Resolution
Ordinance Other X Fiscal Impact: (Enter X in box) Yes No Ordinance Reading: (Enter X in box) 1st Reading 2nd Reading X Public Hearing: (Enter X in box) Yes No Yes No X Funding Source:
Private Partnerships and Donations Advertising Requirement: (Enter X in box) Yes No X Contract/P.O. Required: (Enter X in box) Yes No RFP/RFQ/Bid #: X Strategic Plan Related (Enter X
in box) Yes No Strategic Plan Priority Area: Enhance Organizational Bus. & Economic Dev Public Safety Quality of Education Qual. of Life & City Image Communication Strategic Plan Obj./Strategy:
(list the specific objective/strategy this item will address) N/A X Sponsor Name Councilman David Williams Jr. Department: Office of the Mayor and Council Short Title: A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI GARDENS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SUMMER CAMP; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS;
PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Staff Summary: Background A significant amount of published journals and articles reflect the widening gap that exists between the U.S. and other countries
in the arena of science and engineering as it pertains to students in grades K‐12. Moreover, it is well understood that by the time, students in the U.S. reach high school, their interest
in science and engineering is greatly diminished as a consequence of a lack of exposure and lack of resources. The lack of exposure to these fields is exponentially profound in predominantly
minority communities like the City of Miami Gardens. ITEM K-6) CONSENT AGENDA RESOLUTION Miami Gardens Science and Engineering Sumer Camp
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 In 2010, Miami Gardens partnered with the Golden Glades Elementary School science cohort to provide students with
a collection of reptiles and amphibians. The objective was to investigate what effect‐infusing hands on science program at the elementary school level would have on increasing student
achievement across three core academic areas; science, reading, and math in low achieving schools. After the first year of implementation, the results were outstanding. In year two (2011),
we included four additional elementary schools with varying achievement levels. Our intent was to improve on our first hypothesis by including schools with varying achievement levels
of students. The five participating schools were: School Name Focus Area Golden Glades Elementary School Reptiles and Amphibians Scott Lake Elementary School Reading and Botany
Crestview Elementary School Microscopes Parkview Elementary School Environmental Science Center Rainbow Park Elementary School Inscets and Spiders On April 13, 2011, the City of
Miami Gardens City Council approved the creation of the first Miami Gardens Elementary School Science and Engineering Fair. In an effort to cultivate increased exposure and interest
in the field of science and engineering citywide, the fair was open to all public elementary schools in the City. The top five winners from each elementary school proceeded to the final
level of competition at Saint Thomas University School of Science. This all culminated in a final award ceremony at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex on December 13, 2011. The
community support and attendance was overwhelming, with over 200 local parents and children in attendance. Due to the positive feedback that the City has received from this program,
several new partners have expressed an interest in providing resources to our support our goal of increasing exposure and interest in the fields of science and engineering to cultivate
higher academic achievement. Current Situation Councilman David Williams Jr. has gained support from several private entities who have agreed to pledge both monetary and in‐kind resources
to support the creation of a City of Miami Garden Science and Engineering Summer Camp Program. These partners have already worked with Councilman David Williams Jr. to donate all of
the supplies and resources necessary to outfit a Science Lab in the Palm Room at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex. The partners are as follows: Name of Entity Resource St.
Thomas University School of Science The University will provide lab equipment, faculty, and student volunteers to teach various the various science and engineering subject areas. The
University will also host field trips for the summer camp students so that they can be exposed to science labs and the research environment. Miami Dade College, School of Education Miami
Dade College will provide both faculty and student volunteers to facilitate instruction in the area of literacy. The College will also host field trips to expose the summer camp students
to the college campus environment. Florida International University (FIU) College of Medicine FIU will provide medical students to facilitate instruction in the area of anatomy and human
science. The College will also host field trips to expose the summer camp students to the medical school and the health care profession. The IGFA will provide support in the way of educational
materials as well as
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum (IGFA) field trips for the summer camp students.
Jessie Trice Community Health Center, Inc The Jessie Trice Community Health Center will provide lab equipment, volunteers, interactive reading exercises, and field trip opportunities.
Early Learning Coalition of Miami‐Dade/Monroe County The Early Learning Coalition will provide marketing and information sharing support for the initiative. In addition, they will provide
resources to support the literacy instruction provided by Miami Dade College. Champion Learning, Inc Professional early childhood educators from Champion Learning will coordinate the
curriculum and provide instruction regarding civic engagement for parents. Oscar Thomas Foundation The foundation will provide instruction on public speaking and the arts. Friends of
North Miami Public Library This non‐profit will provide resources to support the literacy instruction. Dragon Fisheries This local business will donate fish to the summer camp as well
as conduct educational workshops. Proposed Summer Camp Structure: The Miami Gardens Science and Engineering Summer Camp will be primarily located at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational
Complex, but will also incorporate other park sites, as well as field trips. The camp will accommodate approximately 50 new students and will be open to children ages 5 – 14 years. The
summer camp will be help for a period of nine weeks, from June 11 – August 17, 2012, which coincides with the regular City of Miami Gardens summer camp schedule. The campers will be
broken up into “learning groups” according their grade level. The summer camp will be initially open to the five City of Miami Gardens Science and Engineering Program elementary schools
listed above, as well as students attending both Norland and Parkway Middle Schools. If additional slots are available, the camp will be open to other students. Goals: 1. Increase summer
science and experience opportunities for students and children. 2. To advance early childhood literacy components and maintain or improve reading skills. 3. Create and support quality
learning environments. 4. Increase parental and civic engagement at the neighborhood level. 5. Incorporate public and private partnerships to increase academic achievement. Objectives:
The focus is to provide experiential activities to prepare children in narrowing the achievement gap and to give students a competitive edge for sustaining success. We will stress a
science based student focused program, family involvement and public private experience for students. Professional instruction and trainings provided through our program partners will
help strengthen the student’s capacity for increasing and maintaining student achievement. Strategy 1a. Create a Science Lab and engage local partners. 2a. Engage students in the love
of reading 3a. Incorporate a literacy component to maintain or improve reading skills 4a. Increase parental and civic engagement 5a. Expose students to various career paths in the field
of science and engineering
1515 NW 167 Street, Building 5 Suite 200 Miami Gardens, Florida 33169 The City’s Role The Miami Gardens’ Science and Engineering Summer Camp will be otherwise integrated into normal
City of Miami Gardens summer camp activities already budgeted for in the FY 12 Budget. All of the additional costs associated with the science‐focused curriculum are being covered by
the program partners listed. It is anticipated that the cost of the Miami Gardens Science and Engineering Summer camp with be consistent with the summer camp rates charged at other City
facilities. Proposed Action: That the City Council adopts the proposed resolution establishing the City of Miami Gardens Science and Engineering Summer Camp at the Betty T. Ferguson
Recreation Center. Attachment: Attachment A: Program Partner Letters of Support