Bright House Networks Star Teacher Awards 2007-2008 Winning Projects

In an age of dwindling fuel supplies and escalating costs of oil, coal and other fossil fuels, students at Rock Lake Middle School explored pros and cons of different kinds of energy resources on our planet. After researching the detrimental effects of fossil fuels, the Greenhouse gases they emit, and the resulting global warming that impacts the environment, students went on a search for clean renewable resources available on the planet. They launched into their Energy Quest by viewing programming on History and Science Channel and learned about resources like Solar Power, Wind Power, Geothermal Biofuels, Hydroelectric, Marine Current and Tidal Power.

Passport to Africa: Egypt 
Raedell Coogler and Jessica Fredricks
Bethune Academy, Polk County 

Passport to Africa: Egypt in an innovative project that used Cable in the Classroom programming as a springboard to interdisciplinary African studies that focused on geography, grammar, art and music. Students participated in a variety of activities including reconstructing mummy cases, writing in hieroglyphics, singing Egyptian songs, playing the Darbuka (a traditional Egyptian drum), painting scarab beetles and measuring the distance from South Africa and Egypt in kilometers. They raised money for an orphanage in South Africa by holding a silent auction that featured Egyptian art of all 468 students. At this event, they sang and danced to entertain 50 community leaders. Cable programming for this project included resources from The Learning Channel, History, Nickelodeon and A&E. As a result, it was an extremely effective course of study because students not only developed a geographical sense but a cultural sense as well.

Environmental Awareness – Do the Math 
Ben Stofcheck and Hugh Adkins
Academy of Environmental Science, Citrus County 

At the Academy of Environmental Science, students were shown real-world math through an environmental project. The class was assigned to research an environmental topic and show how mathematics could be used to influence others to make basic changes in their homes to save energy, reduce water usage and save money or promote recycling. Their final product was to make an environmental mini-poster. As a result, the posters were all put together in a book that is called, Environmental Awareness – Do the Math. Students watched Cable programming from HGTV, Discovery Channel, CNN and referred to books such as True Green, Energy Savers and Environmental Facts with Sources which included an extensive collection of websites and sources. Students now have a better understanding of how Mathematics can be used to solve problems, report facts and data and influence others in making decisions.

Time To Chill: Antarctica 
Kathleen Butler, Ana King and Cathy Lemus
Stewart Middle Magnet School, Hillsborough County 

Time to Chill: Antarctica was a multi-faceted project that included a detailed study of geographic properties and features extreme climate, wildlife and human impact on the continent. All of them played into shaping the history of the “Frozen Climate” and dictated the explorations of the early 19th Century as well as those today. Students at Stewart Middle Magnet School were active in learning through visuals like videos and segments from web sites and other resources. They also corresponded with a geologist and increased their e-learning skills along with their research and library skills. History’s Antarctica: A Frozen Continent kicked off the project. In addition, programming from the Weather Channel, A&E, Animal Planet, CNN, Discovery Channel and National Geographic were used during the project.

America’s Symbols & Those Who Defend Them 
Becky O’Connell, Sandy Cross and Nancy Topping
Inverness Primary School, Citrus County 

For four months, students at Inverness Primary School studied American symbols, monuments and ideals as well as the heroes of the past and present who defend and protect them. America’s Symbols & Those Who Defend Them was focused on learning about and honoring American Veterans and active duty military personnel. Learning about national symbols and monuments were incorporated to provide a connection for students. History’s Take A Veteran to School Day initiatives was one of the many activities the student’s participated in to understand better the different branches of the military. In addition, the children watched a Discovery Education video on American Symbols. As a result, the student’s developed a genuine interest in being grateful for those who defend the United States of America and the meaning behind many symbols of our country.

Nation Creation: A Whole New World 
Jessica Ayres, Alison Jones and Everett Jones
Union Park Middle School, Orange County 

Social Studies students in seventh and eighth grades at Union Park Middle School were given the task of designing their ideal country…from scratch. For four months, students enhanced their knowledge of politics, the environment, cultures and most importantly, themselves. From all different backgrounds, students came together to agree on what they felt was a country they’d like to live in. Maps, flags, national emblems, laws and tourist attractions were created for their countries. Cable programming resources were used from History, Discovery Channel, C-SPAN, The Travel Channel and Food Network. The project supported the school’s motto, “A United Community Inspiring Excellence” and teachers noticed a change in the attitudes of all of the students who were involved in the project..

The Florida Story: Connecting to Our Environment 
Debra Porter and Karen Horsting
Southwest Middle School, Polk County 

The Florida Story: Connecting to Our Environment was an interdisciplinary unit that involves students, teachers and the community in a cooperative effort to understand the nature of Florida’s diverse habitat and the importance of protecting natural resources. Throughout the project, students of Southwest Middle School learned how environmental issues in another state or country could have a positive or negative effect on Florida. Programming from MTV, Diary of Jay-Z: Water for Life, was used throughout the study as well as multiple environmental websites, print materials and videos. The final activity of this project was for students to design a neighborhood with city systems and ecosystems that are complimentary of each other. Each city was presented in formal presentations and judged by members in the community.

Share the Gift…Change A Life 
Nancy Keck, Margie Dilmore and Robin Abrams
Greenwood Lakes Middle School, Seminole County 

Based on the book by Jim Stovall, The Ultimate Gift, the team at Greenwood Lakes Middle School had students participate in exciting activities that address the 12 gifts of the story including Learning, Giving, Freedom, Work, Dreams and Friends. The Share the Gift…Change a Life project exposed each of the gifts that the main character in the story, Jason, experiences. Students gained an understanding of their ability to make a lasting positive impact and experience a rewarding year in their Math and Geography classes. Programmers and resources provided by History, Animal Planet, Hallmark Channel, Discovery Channel and MSNBC were used throughout the students projects.

Every Picture Tells A Story 
Bill Ferrell, Chris Mackmin and Linda Shepard
Braden River High School, Manatee County 

Every Picture Tells A Story examines images as a form of communication that has enhanced people’s lives from the beginning of time. The students at Braden River High School used Bright House Networks media along with additional photographs and artwork as a springboard for mathematical inquiry, integrating media and technology to discover, interpret, appreciate and create images. They viewed artwork in its context to understand who we are in the real world. Students viewed videos from Cable in the Classroom and the website and magazine for research. In addition, programming from A&E, Discovery Channel, History and Ovation were used throughout the project.

Internet Safety Kits – Tips for Students, Teachers, Parents 
Karen Stofcheck and Ingrid Staley
Inverness Middle School, Citrus County 

Like a first aid kit or a highway safety kit, students at Inverness Middle School created an Internet Safety Kits for the cyber generation that included resources for students, teachers and parents. These Internet Safety Kits were used for all classes and subject areas since everyone uses the Internet for research or other activities. They include information about terms and phrases used on the Internet including Wikis, Phishing, Wi-Fi, Java, Podcasts and Cookies. While creating the Kit, students pulled articles from Cable in the Classroom magazine and watched helpful programming and viewed websites provided by C-SPAN, CNN, Discovery Channel and Tru TV. The Kits are being housed at the school for teachers to check out and are available for projects.