InSTEP GK12 Program

Visit : Brevard Public Schools | Florida Tech | National GK-12 Website

The Integrated Science Teaching Enhancement Partnership (InSTEP) is a collaboration between Florida Tech and Brevard Public Schools (Florida). The program fosters student interest in science while boosting teacher confidence in science content and inquiry-based instruction. Each year, eight graduate students from Florida Tech’s science departments (Biology, Chemistry, Marine and Environmental Systems, and Physics) are matched with eight Brevard County high school science teachers to design and pilot a series of lesson plans and activities linking core content areas—Earth science, biology, chemistry and physics.

Using “Ocean Discovery” as a common theme, the program takes advantage of Florida’s extensive coastal resources and student awareness of local ocean-related issues. Lesson plans are based on state and national curriculum standards and include demonstrations and inquiry-based activities that rely heavily on experimentation and problem solving.

In addition to assisting with classroom instruction and serving as content resources for teachers, Graduate Teaching Fellows also coordinate bi-monthly seminars by nationally recognized scientists and serve as co-advisors for Ocean Science Bowl teams that participate in a district-wide competition held each spring.

Contact Information

Florida Tech InSTEP Program
Life Sciences Building Rm 146
Florida Institute of Technology
150 W. University Blvd.
Melbourne, FL 32901
321.674.8195
instep@fit.edu

Last Updated: May 11, 2009

Ocean Bowl

Ocean Science Bowl Competition

Watch teams from Bayside High School, Cocoa High School, Melbourne High School, and Satellite High School demonstrate their knowledge of marine sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics and geology.

Date: May 16, 2009
Location: Olin Life Sciences Building, Florida Tech
Time: 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
(view press release) (download flier)

Ocean Science Seminars

Dr. Kevin B. Johnson
Associate Professor
Department of Marine and Environmental Systems
Florida Institute of Technology
Title: Invasive Species: The Second Greatest Global Environmental Threat
April 16 , 2009 7:00 p.m.
Brevard Community College-Cocoa Auditorium
(view press release) (download flier)

Presenting Science Evaluation Materials

In collaboration with our evaluation team (P. Borexis and J. Kaser, The Study Group, Inc.), we have developed a protocol for evaluating the presentation skills of GK-12 Graduate Teaching Fellows. A prototype of the protocol is available for download (more)

New Science Standards Approved

The State Board of Education approved new Science Standards on February 19, 2008. Copies are available from the Department of Education website (more)

SeaCasts of Ocean Science Seminars

DVD's and Video Podcasts of previous InSTEP Ocean Science Seminars are available, free of charge, to high school teachers (more)

Applications for InSTEP 2009-2010

Interested in becoming a Graduate Teaching Fellow or Partner Teacher? Applications for the 2009-2010 academic year are now available. (more)

Picture Gallery
Photos of InSTEP Fellows and Teachers in action (more)

E-News
To receive updates and announcements of InSTEP activities and events, join the InSTEP E-News mailing list (more)

Calendar
See the InSTEP Calendar for more information about upcoming events.