Ever hear of STEM? In Broward School Board vernacular, STEM stands for (Science, Technology, Engineering and Match). During a December 2010 City of Hallandale Beach Education Committee meeting, the principal of Gulfstream Middle touted the sucess of their STEM program:
“The school’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Match) program will be endorsed by the School Board as an innovative program next year. An open house was held for incoming 6th grade students with over 200 attending. A spaghetti dinner provided by former Vice-Mayor Bill Julian and Mayor Joy Cooper spoke, as did Hallandale Elementary School Principal Sharon Ludwig. Bicycles were given away and the STEM program was showcased. Kingsley feels the event provided a positive image of the school and is hopeful that enrollment will increase with parents choosing to send their child to their home school in Hallandale Beach.”
Awesome, STEM sounds great. Then, the meeting turned to the School Board Diversity Committee’s investigation of Hallandale High School:
“Catherine Kim-Owens spoke about the Diversity Committee’s site visitation to Hallandale High School. She feels that given the school’s age and condition, it is amazing what is accomplished there. The Committee was very distressed at the inequality, citing the following:
–There are no gas hook-ups in the science lab. (In preparation for a budgeted $64,000 since lab renovation, all of the hook-ups were removed and then a renovation moratorium was declared.)”
But, what did they millions of dollars fought for by Ann Murray pay for? A member of the city’s education committee brought up the STEM program at Hallandale High:
“[Josephine] Alongi inquired about a possible STEM program at the school without a functioning science lab. Jones replied that Dr. Joel Herbst, Area Superintendent, told Jones that he will personally ensure the project gets done. Jones stated 
that the school has Gizmos, an online curriculum that provides interactive lab experience. Alongi asked if other schools can donate left-over equipment, to which Jones said they can. Neckes suggested that the Hallandale Pops Orchestra be contacted for equipment donations or mentoring.”
The committee member wanted to gauge Ms. Murray’s knowledge and involvement in these matters:
“Alongi asked if principals meet regularly with School Board Representative Ann Murray,
and Jones responded that he did.”
Did Dr. Joel Herbst find the millions of dollars to turn on the gas? Or will Hallandale high schoolers just watch the Discovery Channel for science lessons? Why not use those millions to pay everyone’s cable and internet bill? Kids can stay home all day and learn from the boob tube or some AOL chat room. Only in Broward.
