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Manatee schools outline expanded STEM labs, competitions and April 5 public showcase
Summary
District curriculum staff presented a yearlong STEM update March 11, saying state appropriations and referendum funding have supported elementary STEM labs, robotics, marine pathways, WazEd kits, VR experiences and a district STEM showcase set for April 5 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
District curriculum leaders on March 11 presented a detailed update on science, technology, engineering and math programming across Manatee County schools and announced a public STEM showcase for April 5 at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
The presentation described elementary STEM labs staffed on the schedule for grades K–5, new curriculum maps aligned to science standards, and classroom technology purchases supported by state appropriations and referendum (millage) dollars. Elementary materials now include subscriptions that work with 3‑D printers, Ozobots, Cubelets, Lego kits, drones, Snap Circuits and straw rocket launchers used to teach engineering practices, coding and force and motion.
The district reported multiple competition programs: a Catapult competition with 23 teams earlier in the year, a pilot Rube Goldberg virtual contest for elementary students, and a broad VEX robotics program that held five local competitions (four elementary, one middle school) with 80 elementary teams and 19 middle school teams competing. The district said it sent 27 VEX teams to state competition this year — up from six in 2021 — and three teams earned bids to the VEX World Championship in Dallas, May 12–14.
Secondary programming highlighted WazEd (a hands‑on kit program tied to a national provider), Guy Harvey Foundation marine pathway work spanning Anna Maria Elementary, King Middle and Manatee High School, and partnerships with Mote Marine's aquaculture and red tide research. Manatee High students are raising tilapia in classrooms through a Mote partnership, and staff said Mote has agreed to a snook exchange next year in which students will help tag and reintroduce fish.
Funding and logistics: presenters said many materials were purchased with referendum (millage) dollars and state appropriations; staff emphasized that the elementary STEM staffing model is the critical recurring cost that funds a dedicated STEM period for K–5. The district announced a multi‑station STEM showcase on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Math Superstars events will begin earlier), with hands‑on demonstrations including VEX fields, catapult activities, VR headsets showing scuba dives and shark tagging, a drone cage, Rube Goldberg displays, and science‑fair winning projects for public viewing.
Ending: District staff said the showcase is intended to be interactive for families and to show how elementary experiences link into middle and high school pathways and careers. Staff emphasized the work is funded through a mix of state appropriations and the local referendum and asked the public to attend April 5.
