Hardee Junior High showcases esports, robotics, culinary and agriscience programs to school board

Hardee County School Board members heard a showcase from Hardee Junior High staff Jan. 9 detailing new and expanding student programs in esports, robotics, culinary arts and agriscience.

Dr. Moseley, who introduced the presentations on behalf of Hardee Junior High, said the school has opened an esports lab "equipped with gaming chairs, high‑tech computers with LED lighting" and is offering three classes for sixth through eighth graders taught by Levi Lambert. "It's not just fun and games," Dr. Moseley said, noting students in the class will earn a Minecraft Prodigy education certification and the school plans an observation visit to Full Sail University in the spring.

Levi Lambert, the esports instructor referenced in the presentation, was described as leading the program’s initial year; the school said it is starting with observation of competitions and plans to build toward competing once the program matures.

Miss Dina, identified in the presentation as the robotics teacher, described a curriculum built on LEGO Spike Prime and related projects that teach programming, sensors and mechanical movement. Miss Dina demonstrated a simulated cashier program and outlined an upcoming Mars‑rover simulation in which students will program robots to collect samples and repair a disabled rover. "This is my second year," she said, and noted previous student teams have competed in Orlando.

Miss Dina also said the program is preparing to incorporate drones: once certification and procurement are complete, students will use drones in classwork and link imagery back into coding lessons; she said the robotics work is being mapped where possible to earn high‑school credit in artificial intelligence.

Micah Myers, the junior‑high culinary teacher, described four culinary classes (two seventh‑grade and two eighth‑grade) and said eighth‑grade coursework yields a high‑school credit. Myers said students also receive ServeSafe (food safety) certification, which is valid for three years and can be an advantage for students seeking work in the restaurant industry. Myers described fundraising and donations used to replace appliances and supply the kitchens, and said students rotate roles during labs (head chef, sous chef, dishwasher, supply manager).

Mr. Stevenson, the school’s agriculture teacher, outlined agriscience programming including career‑development events (CDEs) and leadership development events (LDEs) that lead to district, state and national competitions. Stevenson also introduced a new middle‑school barbecue team that competes across five disciplines (grilled cheese, steak, chicken, ribs and chili). He said the team has already placed in early contests — "we were reserve champions" at one event and won categories such as chicken and ribs at another — and that the team is expected to compete at higher levels, potentially qualifying for national competition.

Board members and presenters noted the programs draw different student interest groups and create pathways to industry certifications, scholarships and postsecondary opportunities. The board asked staff to provide more public visibility for the programs so families and the community know about them.

Hardee Junior High staff said they will continue preparations for competitions and certifications and invited board members to visit the labs and classrooms in the coming weeks.