County Schools Adopt Innovative Approaches
Published Apr 17, 2008
ScienceSouth’s Science on Wheels is a venue for students to conduct experiments.
When it comes to education, Florence County families can choose from a wide range of options, including five public school districts and more than a dozen private schools. But the benefits of these schools reach far beyond sheer numbers. With new course offerings and specialized programs, educators throughout the county are working to prepare students for life outside the classroom.
“We’re constantly raising the bar, adding more rigorous courses that are relevant to career opportunities,” says Larry L. Jackson, superintendent of Florence School District One. “We’ve listened to the business community in developing new curriculum for both the Florence Career Center and the middle and high schools.”
In fact, The School Foundation, a privately endowed organization that supports the district, in May 2007 awarded a $109,000 grant to purchase specialized equipment geared toward new courses in manufacturing and health sciences.
“We’re looking to provide real-world experiences – including soft skills, such as working on a team and getting to work on time,” Jackson says. “We’re defining the relationship between what you do in the classroom and what you do after graduation.”
As headmaster at Trinity Collegiate School, Dr. Bob Veto also is keenly aware of this relationship. A college preparatory school serving grades seven through 12, Trinity provides advanced counseling. Since the school opened in 1995, 100 percent of its graduates have gone on to four-year colleges.
“All of our courses are honors or [advanced placement] level,” Veto says. “And our seniors take part in a thesis project, which is presented to the entire student body. It’s a huge undertaking because they are incorporating so many skills – research, organization, public speaking. But they take immense pride in the end result and carry those skills forward wherever they go.”
Hands-on skills are the cornerstone of ScienceSouth, a unique enterprise that provides science and mathematics activities for students and teachers in the Pee Dee region. Through its summer Science Challenge Camps, live science shows and Science on Wheels programs, ScienceSouth has reached nearly 100,000 people, according to communication and development specialist Andreka Johnson.
When it opens a new 5,000-square-foot facility in 2008, ScienceSouth will incorporate more advanced technology into its programming.
“The new facility will offer even greater opportunities for learning, with interactive laboratories and program spaces designed for intergenerational activities,” Johnson says. “Local education and business leaders have been incredibly supportive. They recognize the importance of science education and getting kids interested at an early age.”
Jackson agrees, calling ScienceSouth “a great partnership for local schools.”
“It’s important to get students hooked at an early age – get them excited about learning,” he says. “We ask kids, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ My job is to make available the resources and training to make those dreams possible.”
Story by Amy Stumpfl
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