Dr. Biden announces national math+science initiative at Escambia High

Dr. Jill Biden announced the expansion of the National Math + Science Initiative to 18 high schools in Bay, Clay and Escambia counties, including Escambia, Pensacola, Pine Forest, Washington and West Florida high schools.

NMSI’s College Readiness Program for Military Families is supported by among others the Joining Forces initiative that was launched by Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden.
Biden, a lifelong educator, said she supports NMSI for its work with military-connected high schools, so they have more access to rigorous AP classes to ensure their success in college and their future careers.

“Even better news, this is not exclusive to military families, it’s available to all students,” said Biden, who after the program walked around the edge of the gym shaking hands with students and posing for cellphone photos. “As a teacher, I can see the potential in all of you. No matter who you are or where you came from you should be given opportunities. We believe in you.”

NMSI has proven since it was launched in 2007 to improve AP test results in more than 750 high schools across the nation. After just one year of the program, students in NMSI’s military-connected partner schools show an 85 percent increase in qualifying AP math and science exam scores—11 times the national average of 7.7 percent.

There was a festive air in the Escambia’s Norman G. Ross Gymasium with students clapping and dancing to the band’s music. Even Principal Frank Murphy grooved to one of the songs to the delight of onlookers. Escambia High’s ROTC, which was judged No. 1 in the state, got into the act, too, performing one of its catchy marching chants.

The packed gym included Armed Forces leaders, Escambia County school system leaders, and local political leaders, as well as high-school aged students.
Ocean Springs (Miss.) High School student Eric Kleckner, who attended five different schools in four states during his father’s Air Force career, credited NSMI’s program for preparing him for an environmental science career.

In 2014, NMSI’s expanded to Biloxi High School and Ocean Springs High School — serving Kessler Air Force Base and Gulfport Battalion Center. The two NMSI schools accounted for 54 percent of the entire state’s gains in qualifying AP scores.

“It played a large role in preparing me for my education,” he said.”I’ve been interested in science as long as I could remember.”Jason Silva, host of National Geographic Channel’s Emmy-winning “Brain Games,” entertained the crowd with a few mind-bending, scientific challenges between students from the five Escambia high schools that will participate in NSMI next school year.

“My mom was a teacher so I grew up knowing the importance of education,” Silva said. “I believe in the power of education.”

He ran through several of the shows popular mind-bending games, such as Mad Gab, a series of non-sense words that make up a well-known phrase. He introduced Words on Words and used “generation” and “scoreboard.” After the students did the 30-second contest, Silva told the crowd 300 words could be made from them.

Escambia County Superintendent Malcolm Thomas welcomed NMSI to its schools.

“We’re so eager to begin this initiative,” he said. “It’s one more step in our journey to improve opportunities for our students.”