Paxton’s ERAU Students Visit Representative Brad Drake
Submitted by Heather Stewart, Paxton School

Paxton High School’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Gaetz Aerospace Institute students recently traveled to Tallahassee, Florida for a full day of activities.

 Students put their skills to the test during a simulated space mission at the Challenger Learning Center where they worked together to complete the mission including research, analysis and engineering. Following the mission and other activities at the center, students met with Representative Brad Drake during a tour of the Florida Capitol, followed by a visit to Florida State University’s robotics lab and $6 million wind tunnel.

 Thank you to the Florida Space Grant Consortium for their generous grant support of this trip.

Walton High School student Evan Cowie has been selected as Walton County's top 11th grade student in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to be honored at the 2016 Sunshine State Scholars Program. 

The Sunshine State Scholars program was founded in 1997 by Dr. William Caldwell of the University of North Florida and brought together top STEM students from throughout the state to celebrate their successes.  Sunshine State Scholars recognizes the academic achievements of the top 11th grade students representing every district in Florida.  The scholars, along with their parents and a teacher selected by each scholar, convene with more than 40 of Florida's colleges and universities to learn about postsecondary STEM programs of study and unique career opportunities.

Evan was also the winner of the 2014-15 State of Florida Science Fair.  Congratulations Evan!

Picture and article submitted by Chelsea Ellison, FMS

On Friday, January 22nd, the FMS & FHS SSTRIDE groups went to the Florida State University College of Medicine to receive CPR training. We are so proud to announce that they are all now CPR certified! Way to go, SSTRIDE students! See the FMS SSTRIDE webpage for more pictures!

SSTRIDE stands for: Science Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity & Excellence.

SSTRIDE© is an outreach effort of the FSU College of Medicine with support from Florida's Area Health Education Centers.

SSTRIDE©'s Mission is to identify students who have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in science, engineering, mathematics, health, or medicine and to give those students the support services important for them to develop the sense of responsibility, focus and motivation necessary for success in their chosen fields.

SSTRIDE© has a college component for college and university students and a pre-college component for middle and high school students. 

The pre-college component is open to students from designated Florida middle and high schools in Collier, Gadsden, Leon, Madison, Okaloosa, Orange and Walton counties.

The Walton County School District would like to thank the Walton Education Foundation! Over the past year the Walton Education Foundation has awarded over $42,000 to 39 classrooms through its Classroom Grant program using matching funds from the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations.  In addition, the Foundation  has increased the number of students in Walton County’s Take Stock in Children program by 32 percent.  The Foundation has also  worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to host the very first Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers Event – AKA ECET2.  

A special thanks also goes out to following companies and their representatives for their very generous donations to the Walton Education Foundation. 

Kristina Mackenzie with Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa through United Way of Okaloosa & Walton – Over $11,000 for All Walton Education Foundation Programs

Janet Greeno with the St. Joe Community Foundation - $7,500 for Classroom Grant Program

Brian Gilbert, Kevin Campbell and Ashley Williams with CHELCO - $6,000 for Classroom Grant Program

Pictured:  Volunteer Walton Education Foundation Board Members  in attendance at a recent School Board Meeting: Megan Harrison, Lauren Justiss, Kelli Jo Kilberg, Melissa Pilcher, Linda Presenell, Wyndy Crozier.

Click here to see the list of mini-grant recipients.

Pictured above: Walton Education Foundation Executive Director MH Carr (left) and Kristina Mackenzie with the Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort and Spa.