The National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) has launched its College Readiness Program in partnership with two Brevard Public Schools, Viera High School and Satellite High School. Both are military-connected schools serving Patrick Space Force Base. The program partnership is made possible with dedicated funding from the Department of Defense’s STEM Education & Outreach office (known as “DoD STEM”) through the Defense STEM Education Consortium (DSEC).

Through this funding, Satellite High was provided with a $170,065.00 grant, and Viera High was provided a $220,395.00 grant to use towards programming and teacher training. 

To commemorate this partnership, BPS hosted a “Welcome to the NMSI Family” Celebration on Thursday, March 2^nd at 10:00 am at Viera High School. NMSI Executive Director and veteran astronaut, Dr. Bernard Harris, was the keynote speaker at the event and reminded the audience that we are each “infinite beings with infinite possibilities.”

Along with Dr. Harris, we heard from two students about the impact of their AP and STEM classes on their success. Lavanya Natarajan from Viera High and Connor Bailey from Satellite High both gave insight into their journeys as students in BPS and what they hope to accomplish in the future.

Remarks were made by other special guests including, Dr. Stephanie Soliven, Assistant Superintendent of BPS Secondary Leading & Learning; Viera High Principal, Sarah Robinson; Satellite High Principal, Bobby Pruett, and Mr. Louis Lopez, Director of STEM for the Department of Defense. Prior to the event, the Viera High Jazz Band provided entertainment, and the Viera High JROTC lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the presentation of colors.

Thank you to NMSI and DoD STEM for their dedication to Brevard Public Schools.

If you would like to see more photos, click here.

Brevard Public Schools’ Career & Technical Education (CTE) department celebrated their partnership with the Space Coast Consortium Apprenticeship Program (SCCAP) during their visit to Eastern Florida State College. The CTE department has an existing preapprenticeship with Coastal Mechanical to tie to the building construction trades programs at Astronaut, Cocoa, Melbourne, and Palm Bay Magnet High Schools. The preapprenticeship aims to develop a higher level of proficiency in advanced manufacturing skills in students and provide participating companies with a strong selection of highly skilled workers.

For the past two years, the CTE department has been working with the SCCAP and the Florida Department of Education to add additional standards of preapprenticeship. The additional standards have now been approved and the following occupations have been added to the BPS preapprenticeship program: Mechatronics Technician, Advanced CNC Machinist, and Fiber Composite Technician. This is an exciting opportunity for students in the Applied Robotics (Palm Bay Magnet), Advanced Manufacturing (Heritage), and Machining (Bayside) programs in our BPS schools.

Anatomy & physiology and biology teacher, Shelby Defrece, has chartered a Science National Honor Society chapter at Cocoa High School. To gain membership into the Society, students are required to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all science-related coursework, be enrolled in at least one honors-level course, and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. The students in Cocoa High’s Science National Honor Society are: Shanya Osborne, Kailey Spurlock, Autumn Hill, Kaela Daniels, Aniya Smiley, and Catriona McDonald.

On Feb. 24, Mrs. Defrece and her students traveled to feeder schools: Cambridge Elementary, Endeavour Elementary, and Fairglen Elementary to deliver hands-on science lessons to 11 classes of potential future Tigers. Mrs. Defrece modeled lessons that included an introduction to gravity, how magnets work, and the creation of slime and elephant toothpaste. Her students taught the lessons to first-grade classes at Endeavour and Cambridge and the VPK class at Fairglen.  

If you would like to see more photos, click here.

Jawaan Taylor is the Heart of Brevard

The Heart of Brevard is a person who puts their heart and soul into teaching, inspiring, and supporting our children in whatever role they play in BPS.

If you know of a BPS staff member or community partner who is the “Heart of Brevard,” nominate them HERE!

Ian Honda of DeLaura Middle School

Ian Honda of DeLaura Middle School won first place at the USA Surfing Prime East event last week. Ian is a member of the USA Surf team and working to qualify for Nationals in California! 

If you would like to hear more about Ian's story, click here.

Tuesday was an evening to honor some of BPS’ best and brightest as the School Board recognized an award-winning student, a unique Career & Technical Education program, a championship team, and heard from the current district Employee of the Year.

Zaylan Hill, a second grader at Golfview Magnet Elementary School, won a state Black History Month art contest for his submission titled “The Highway Man.” Zaylan’s inspiration is his great-great uncle Robert Lewis, one of the 26 Landscape Artists commonly referred to as the Florida Highway Men. As one of four winners throughout the state, Zaylan received a $100 art supplies gift card, a plaque, and a one-year pass to Florida state parks. He and his family were also provided an all-expense paid trip to Tallahassee last month for a reception at the Governor’s mansion with Governor DeSantis and the First Lady.

Board members also heard from Eau Gallie Principal Jeremy Salmon and teacher Bill McInnish who spotlighted the school’s Aviation CTE program, a one-of-a-kind education pathway for students who want to work in the aerospace industry. Watch their video here.

District Employee of the Year Rod Foster, Technology Associate at McNair Magnet Middle School, talked about his pride and dedication to our students and staff. Mr. Foster also spotlighted the impressive teamwork that takes place every day at McNair Magnet Middle School as the staff works to serve every student with excellence as the standard. 

The School Board also celebrated the Viera Boys Soccer team who won the 6A State Championship with a 21-0-1 record. This is the program’s first state title. Congratulations Hawks!

The School Board also proclaimed March 2023 as Women’s History Month and Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month.