What is the MOA Discovery Program?

MOA stands for Marine Oceanographic Academy. In 2007, St. Lucie County School Board and Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch collaborated on creating Fort Pierce Westwood’s Marine & Oceanographic Academy (MOA). MOA is a model for partnering a marine research institute with public schools for the improvement of scientific literacy students within our community.

Students in the MOA programs have access to rigorous curriculum across all subject areas with an enhanced focus on marine science and oceanography connected to the Indian River Lagoon.

Q: Why the name MOA Discovery?

The program at FK Sweet will be called MOA Discovery because it will be students’ first introduction to the program. The MOA Discovery program at FK Sweet will provide an elementary pathway to the MOA Prep program at Forest Grove Middle school, and the MOA Program at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy.

 

Enhanced Science Curriculum at FKS

Each grade level will focus on different aspects marine and ocean life, with a focus on the Indian River ecosystem, from understanding local species to learning about habitat preservation as well as education on best practices to reduce known contaminants. Students will learn about sources of pollution and how they can help to protect and improve water quality. By encouraging critical thinking about sustainability, students will develop a sense of environmental stewardship.

Grade Level Curriculum Yearlong Focus:

  • Kindergarten– The Everglades, Sea Turtles, Ocean Habitats, Coral, Sharks, Mangroves, Humpback Whales
  • First Grade– The Everglades, Sea Turtles, Ocean Pollution, Water Quality, Shark Identification, Mangroves, Humpback Whales
  • Second Grade– The Everglades, Sea Turtles, Ocean Pollution, Plastics, Shark Anatomy, Manta Rays, Right Whales
  • Third Grade– The Everglades, Sea Turtles, Manatees, Manta Rays, Humpback Whales
  • Fourth Grade– The Everglades, Marine Marvels ®, Right Whales, Seining in the Indian River Lagoon, collaboration with Forest Grove MOA
  • Fifth Grade– Lagoon conservation efforts, experiences in the Indian River Lagoon including water quality testing and collaborations with Fort Pierce Westwood MOA Program Ambassadors

Enhanced Science experiences

Students will have the opportunity for enhanced sciences experiences related to the Indian River Lagoon at Frances K Sweet and on off campus field trips.

Proposed Experiences include:

  • Students help with maintaining a lagoon friendly garden at FK Sweet
  • Creation of a MOA Discovery Lab in our STEM building to conduct experiments and enhance hands-ons science learning.
  • Visits to the St. Lucie Aquarium, Manatee Observation Center, and othe local conservation centers
  • Seining in the Indian River Lagoon
  • Collaboration with FAU Harbor Branch for visits and experiments
  • Combined Science Lab days with MOA student Ambassadors from Fort Pierce Westwood Academy
  • Participation at local festivals related to the Indian River Lagoon
  • Interacting with the MOA Prep program at Forest Grove Middle School

Here are a dozen other reasons to choose F.K. Sweet Elementary Magnet School:

  • You want your child to attend a school with a traditional academic focus where children are well disciplined and learn in an orderly environment.
  • You want a school that has been ranked an “A” for 13 consecutive years, met federal guidelines of the No Child Left Behind Act for eight years, is a Music Demonstration School, and an Annenburg/Getty Art School.
  • You want a curriculum that focuses on relevant and engaging activities that require higher order thinking skills.
  • You want your child to have the opportunity to access higher level curriculum through the Gifted Program.
  • You want your child to dress for success to promote school spirit and citizenship.
  • You want high expectations for academic, social, and personal development as a central focus for your child to excel.
  • You want your child immersed in a family-oriented, warm atmosphere where certified and highly qualified teachers are nurturing and committed to building relationships with parents.
  • You want your child to experience the world through a wealth of materials in the media center.
  • You want your child to have a deep understanding of all content knowledge.
  • You want your child to integrate the arts, music, and physical education programs into his or her studies.
  • You want your child to use technology as a learning tool and receive technology instruction in our two fully-equipped computer labs.
  • You want your child to be given the opportunity to get involved in extracurricular activities, such as violin, chorus, and camera crew.

Awards

  • An “A” school designated by the Department of Education – 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • Recipient of the Five Star School Award/Golden School Award from the Florida Department of Education – 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • Met Federal Government Standards for Education for the No Child Left Behind Act,  “Adequate Yearly Progress” – 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
  • Employs six National Board Certification Teachers (Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Schott, Mrs. Routten, Mrs. Ackenbrack, Mrs. Mayberry, Mrs. Kline)
  • Stock Market Challenge sponsored by the Florida Economics Council – Third Place Elementary Division, 2013 (Annamarie Brosnihan, Matthew Callahan, Robert Hofher)
  • St. Lucie County Fair – People’s  Choice Award  2007, 2013
  • District Winner for Dr. Samuel S. Gaines Essay Contest 2013 (Animesh Saha)
  • District Winner for Martin Luther King Float, 2007, District Runner Up 2012 and 2013
  • District Second Place Winner for Martin Luther King Oratorical Contest 2013 (Wesley Hinds)
  • District Second Place Winner for Act of Kindness Week, 2013
  • District Spelling Bee First Place Winner, 2011, 2012 (Rida Ahmed)
  • St. Lucie County Fair – First Place Elementary School Display, 2012
  • Veteran’s Essay Contest Runner Up 2012 (China Whitehead )
  • District Third Place Winner for MLK Act of Kindness Week, 2010, 2012
  • District Winner for Martin Luther King Essay Contest, 2011, 2012 (Jerry Miles Johnson, III)
  • District Winner for Martin Luther King Oratorical Contest, 2008, 2011, 2012 (Jerry Miles Johnson, III)
  • District MLK Spelling Bee Winner, 2011 (Cindy Frio)
  • Home of the St. Lucie County School-Related Employee of the Year, 2005 (Mrs. Fowler)
  • St. Lucie County Regional Science Fair Physics and Astronomy Second Place Winner, 2010 (Lexia Tyrrell)
  • St. Lucie County Regional Science Fair Chemistry Second Place Winner, 2010 (Haniya Shareef)
  • Annenburg/Getty Art Partner Model School – one of six in the state and 36 nationwide
  • Home of Red Zone Winner for Teacher of Excellence Utilizing Technology Grant, 2008 (Mrs. Adrian)
  • National and State Essay Winner, “Proud to be an American”, 2007 (Christian Medina)
  • District winners for DAR Essay Contest, 2004 (Seth Herrick and Eric Shea), 2006 (Eric Campbell) & 2007 (Cody Denig)
  • District Outstanding Principal Award, 2007 (Juanita Wright)
  • Music Demonstration School – one of four in the state, 1998, 2002, 2006
  • Home of the St. Lucie County Volunteer of the Year, 2005 (Mrs. Adams)
  • Home of the St. Lucie County Social Studies Teacher of the Year, 2004 (Mrs. Routten)
  • Home of the St. Lucie County Teacher of the Year, Zone II Finalist, 2004 (Mrs. Routten)
  • Listed as “Best Practices School” in the Florida Department of Education “Art Achieve” Document, 2003
  • Chosen as Reader’s Choice / Best Local Elementary School by the Tribune – 2002
  • District and State Winner for Outstanding Assistant Principal, 2001 (Juanita Wright)
  • Home of the Art Association Florida Art Teacher of the Year, 2000 (Mrs. Schott)