WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Staff from the University of Florida Thompson Earth Systems Institute’s Scientist in Every Florida School (SEFS) program, along with administrators at Western Pines Middle School in Palm Beach County, surprised teacher Karen Villalobos with the first-of-its-kind SEFS Superstar Award.
The SEFS initiative aims to build long-term collaborative relationships between teachers and scientists, to better integrate current scientific research and big data into classroom lessons that adhere to Florida Sunshine State Standards and connect a scientist with every Florida school in the state.
The award recognizes a K-12 public school teacher that goes above and beyond to share their passion for teaching science through the delivery of SEFS-related content to their students who demonstrates one or more of the following criteria: ongoing collaborations with scientists; lesson development with scientists; participation in SEFS professional development opportunities; sharing awareness of the SEFS program to colleagues and stakeholders.
“Mrs. Villalobos is in fact a superstar teacher,” said Robert Hatcher, the principal of Western Pines Middle School, adding that he credits Villalobos with their readiness for the State Science Assessments.
SEFS K-12 outreach and education coordinator Stephanie Killingsworth, said that Villalobos has been one of the biggest cheerleaders for the SEFS program.
“During this school year, Karen has maintained on-going collaborations with several scientists to provide strong review for her 8th grade students,” Killingsworth said.
“Not only has she implemented SEFS where it makes sense for her, but she has also been a huge advocate and follower of our social media channels and newsletter, as well as a promotor of the program to her colleagues and the School District of Palm Beach County. She has shared her success with other colleagues who have then initiated their own SEFS interactions as a result.”
For more information about the “Scientist in Every Florida School Project,” visit: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/earth-systems/scientist-in-every-florida-school/