BECON’s Science and Me
Earns Emmy

BECON (Broward Education Communications Network) recently received an Emmy Award from the National Television Academy, Suncoast Chapter for Science and Me, an educational program for students in kindergarten through second grade.

“Science and Me supplements curriculum and enhances student achievement with highly motivating lessons that use state of the art animation,” explains Michael Moscatello, the show’s executive producer. “Our main focus is to help students learn, but winning an Emmy and being recognized by our peers is truly an honor and validates the quality of our productions,” adds Mr. Moscatello, who also serves as the show’s host, Molecular Mike.

Science and Me is being distributed to every elementary school in Broward County, thanks to a grant from the AD Henderson Foundation. Television viewers can also watch the show at home on BECON-TV (WPPB, cable channel 19 or 70). Viewers should check local listings for air times.

Owned and operated by the School Board of Broward County, BECON also provides online courses for Broward County Public School students and distance learning courses and electronic field trips for schools, the community and local businesses.

For more information on BECON’s broadcast or instructional programming,
visit (www.becon.tv) or call
1-877-TVBECON.

Mike Moscatello, executive producer and host, Cesar Varela, graphic artist and Pedro Chavez, director of BECON’s newest series, Science and Me take home the Emmy for Children’s Programs.

Bit of History
Portable classrooms are not new to Broward County.  In order to accommodate a rapidly growing student population, portable classrooms were already in use in Broward in 1926.

National PTA is the oldest child advocacy organization in the country and in 1930, the Broward County Council of PTA’s was established.  The group’s first president was Cora Reed. 

Learn more about the history of Broward County Public Schools at
(www.browardschools.com/history).

Tech-Savvy Broward Students
“Take it Apart ... Put it
Together... Take it Home”

Can you take a computer apart and put it back together again? Few of us could answer yes to that question, but that is exactly what 75 Broward County Public Schools middle school students can do after completing the Dell TechKnow Program. Dell TechKnow is part of the District’s efforts to narrow the digital divide that separates families that have access to technology and those who do not.

Dell TechKnow is an after-school program for middle school students that consists of forty hours of technology training. During the sessions, students learn how to assemble a computer and use various types of software. Upon completion of all requirements, each student is presented with a refurbished computer and one year of free AOL Internet service.

This innovative program came to Broward as a result of collaborative “out-of-the- box” problem-solving among Dell, the Department of Advanced Academic Programs, Education Technology Services (ETS), and Hinson Office Supply. The Department of Advanced Academic Programs received a multi-year federal grant (called the Advanced Placement Incentive Program) to increase the enrollment and success of low-income students in advanced courses. Because access to technology and the ability to use it is important for success in today’s advanced courses, the Dell TechKnow program was a natural fit.

The grant provides funding for instructors and Dell provides computers and software for 500 students at six participating middle schools. ETS provides technical support, supplemental funding, and overall program administration and Hinson Office Supply provides additional materials used in Dell TechKnow classrooms. C & C Corporation, the District’s local Dell subsidiary, is donating a new printer to each participating student. This successful collaboration is making a difference to the students participating. Their self-esteem is rising as they acquire new technical skills. Cynthia Park, Director of Advanced Academic Programs, said “My staff is so proud to be a part of such a meaningful program. It is, indeed, a gratifying and heart-warming experience.”

In December, the first group of students graduated from the Dell TechKnow program. Commencement ceremonies were held simultaneously at Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, New River, Perry, Rickards and Sunrise middle schools. The schools were linked via videoconference giving the 75 tech-savvy graduates an opportunity to showcase their skills through live demonstrations. Vijay Sonty, Chief Information Officer, joined the live event via videoconference and congratulated the students for achieving the program goal of “Take it apart. Put it together. Take it home.”

For more information on the Dell TechKnow program, please contact Mary Baker, ETS Project Manager, at 754-321-0306