CF Receives Grant for College Park Elementary Partnership

Thanks to a $13,000 Empower grant from Siemens Industry, CF staff, faculty and teacher education students will help the elementary school develop an indoor/outdoor science lab to engage students with hands-on science activities.

The project is designed to address very low student grades and learning in science, particularly in fourth and fifth grades, by offering activities including observations of fruit-bearing trees, measuring rainfall and growing hydroponic vegetables.

“The Community Partnership School at College Park Elementary is very thankful to receive this grant from Siemens Industry Inc.,” said Caron Reid, Community Partnership School director. “Our project will now be able to move forward to improve student learning in the areas of sustainable science and STEM.

“We look forward to the exciting lessons and activities that will take place in our indoor/outdoor science labs and, ultimately, improved science scores for our students. This is the beginning of a long-term relationship as, together, we send our students into the 21st century with an understanding and appreciation for science,” Reid said.

“We’re both happy and proud to help support this important, evolving linkage between CF and College Park Elementary School, namely in the way it promotes student learning and achievement in STEM critical disciplines through hands-on learning,” said Steve Hoiberg, director of Siemens Empower Program.

“CF staff and faculty work closely with the elementary school in a variety of ways,” said Dr. Jennifer Fryns, CF associate vice president for Career and Professional Programs. “We’re excited about taking this already transformative partnership further into the classroom.”

For more information about the College of Central Florida, visit www.CF.edu.