Okaloosa schools receive $1.25 million grant

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By special to the Daily News

The Okaloosa County School District has received a $1.25 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), which will support the district’s secondary science and math curriculum.

The grant, according to the Okaloosa County School District website, will fund new technology in the math and science classroom, professional development opportunities for teachers, supporting a STEM summer camp and piloting an online tutoring program for math and science students.

Students in Angelica Jackson’s 8th grade physical science class at Bruner Middle School said they are excited about incorporating additional technology into their class curriculum. 

“Technology helps me learn in science by letting me see what I know and don’t know,” said student Hailey Rice.

Lillian Greene said technology, such as iPads in the classroom, have helped her study for quizzes and tests.

 “My grades have improved so much,” Greene said.

Student Lucas Harrell said he feels iPads help in science classes by allowing students to see demonstrations, such as chemical reactions.

“In my class we do e-Labs to help me understand more of our natural world,” he said.

iPads are just one of the many devices the District uses as tools in the classroom to make learning more captivating and realistic, according to the district’s website.

“I can have students manipulate chemical combinations online and observe the reactions that occur,” Jackson said.  “It’s safe and even cost effective in relation to not having to purchase all the chemicals. I’ve been teaching almost 30 years and teaching gets more exciting and engaging all the time, and much of that is attributed to the use of technology in the classroom.”  

Tami Ellis, the District’s Science Curriculum Specialist, said the district has developed a team of teachers to meet and give input on the grant initiatives.”

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