Spotlight on Education: Manatee County Title 1 Students Ramping Up at Science Summer Camp

BRADENTON -- The Manatee County School District’s Title I Program is hosting its first annual Title I Science Camp this summer. The Title I Summer Science Camp is a four-day environmentally themed science enrichment camp that was offered to economically disadvantaged 4th and 5th grade students at all Title I Elementary Schools.

The two weeks of the camp are June 16 – 19 and June 23 – 26. While at the Title I Summer Science Camps, students will learn about the natural environment and the related science standards by taking part in hands-on learning experiences in a camp-like setting.

Students from Abel, Ballard, Bayshore, Blackburn, Daughtrey, Manatee, Moody, Oneco, Orange Ridge-Bullock, Palm View, Palmetto, Prine, Rogers Garden, Samoset and Tillman Elementary schools will all visit a different environmental site each day of the camp including Lake Manatee State Park, Robinson Preserve, Emerson Point Preserve and the Florida Aquarium.

Throughout the week, students will learn about different ecosystems as they engage in activities such as dip netting, orienteering, water filtration, nature and history walks, bird watching, and crafts.

The Title I Summer Science Camps were developed in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources department.  All funding for the camps was through the federal Title I Program.

The Title I Summer Science Camp was designed to expand the horizons of economically disadvantaged students allowing for increased classroom connections in hopes of closing the achievement gap, and providing them with the high stake skills needed to be environmentally conscious, global citizens who are prepared for success in the 21st century.