1. Cocoplum Nature School
Fernanda is co-founder of Cocoplum Nature School. She holds a Doctorate and Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, a Master’s in International and Intercultural Education, and a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education from FIU. She holds a certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from American University and is an ERAFANS Certified Nature School Educator and mindfulness facilitator (The Way Education). She has created nature-based early childhood education programs in Delray Beach since 2017 (Global Story Time at Swinton Community Garden and Bilingual Nature Play at the Children’s Garden). She has worked for different United Nations offices and other international development education organizations; she has lived in Mexico, Philippines, France, and the USA. Her work and philosophy in education for over 15 years holds the constants of nature and play, both key components for cultivating healthy, curious, creative minds. She has two boys and loves nature and music.
Melanie is the Executive Director and a proud co-founder of Cocoplum Nature School. After studying psychology and English as an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame, Melanie began her lifelong career as an educator. First, she served as a volunteer teacher in inner-city Chicago where she also earned a Masters of Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University. Then she moved to Palm Beach County where she taught in the school district, and earned a Masters of Educational Leadership from Florida Atlantic University. Just prior to co-founding Cocoplum, Melanie spearheaded research projects and school leader professional development initiatives in the School Leaders Program at FAU. She earned her PhD in Educational Leadership from FAU in 2021 after a distinguished doctoral journey including accolades as a Clark Scholar, PEO Scholar, and College of Education School Leaders Graduate Student of the Year. Currently, Melanie serves as a volunteer member of the Green Implementation Advancement Board advising the City of Delray Beach Sustainability Office, and she’s an active member of the Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Council. She grew up in Utah where she loved to hike, camp, and ski with her family. Melanie resides in Delray Beach where she and her husband enjoy beach trips, bike rides, and family movie nights with their two children.
2. The Glenn W. Bailey STEM Education and Outreach Program at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Innovation & Technology
From high school to groundbreaking discoveries: Students have a unique opportunity to explore careers in biomedical science through The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Technology.
Every summer, 15 of our brightest local high school students step into world-class biomedical research laboratories, diving into an eight-week intensive, hands-on research journey. Here, they don’t just learn—they actively contribute to the groundbreaking creation of new disease treatments, transforming their summer into a life-changing experience.
A chief focus of The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute is to build and strengthen the pipeline of tomorrow’s biomedical leaders by empowering students with a keen interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)-related careers. Thanks to a significant investment by the Glenn W. Bailey Foundation and continued support from the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, the institute’s outreach and community engagement programs successfully support this mission.
Over the past eighteen years, the High School Internship, known as the Kenan Fellows program, has created an opportunity for more than 200 students from Palm Beach County and, more recently, Martin County to work alongside some of the world’s top biomedical research scientists. Students spend their summer fully immersed in a single lab, delving into its unique focus, mastering advanced research methods and techniques, and actively conducting experiments. They contribute valuable data to critical studies impacting human health. Summer projects span diverse and vital areas such as cancer biology, immunology, neuroscience, medicinal chemistry, and computer science. They culminate their summer experience by presenting their work to the scientific community, family, and friends.
Inspired by their internship experiences, Kenan Fellows pursue higher education at some of the most prominent colleges in the nation. After obtaining their undergraduate degree, more than one-third of our alumni have pursued post-graduate education. More than half of our Kenan Fellow alumni have chosen a STEM career. This prestigious program is on track to graduate over 300 students by 2030, and each student is a beacon of hope and inspiration for the future of STEM.
3. Grandview Preparatory School
Grandview’s commitment to developing 21st century skills in each of our learners has expanded during the 23-24 school year with the inception of our Field Work Program within the Upper School. Rather than simply teach the transferable and durable skills that provide the pillars for our program (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity and character), Grandview is now taking students off campus to gain real-world experience in various academic and professional settings to witness firsthand how these skills are applied in life beyond the classroom. Additionally, such experiences provide a level of career exploration in a way not often provided to young students.
Key components of the Experiential Program include:
- Real-World Partnerships: Collaboration with local and global businesses, organizations, and experts to design real-world projects and apply classroom knowledge.
- Student Internships and Apprenticeships: Hands-on experience within students’ areas of interest to explore career paths and develop essential skills.
- Mentorship Program: Connection with professionals and experts to deepen exploration of different roles in society and provide valuable insights for success in school and beyond.
- Student Industry on Campus: Transformation of campus facilities to replicate a small town, allowing students to run aspects of campus life and mirror real-world community experiences.
- Field Work, Guest Experts, and Site Visits: Regular excursions to local businesses, museums, and community organizations to provide firsthand exposure to real-world applications.
- Community Engagement: Active participation in service projects, volunteering, and collaborative initiatives to instill civic responsibility and connect learning to real-world issues.
4. Science Research Program at American Heritage Schools
The American Heritage Science Research Institute is a high honors level program where our students are completing undergraduate and graduate level research at the high school level. Our students work with university quality Biosafety Level 2 labs (BSL-2) using equipment such as a Scanning Electron Microscope, a Liquid Nitrogen Cryogenic Tank, several Fluorescent scopes, Biosafety Cabinets for sterile cell culture and many more. In our research facilities students work to find solutions for current medical and environmental issues and challenges facing our world today. Students also learn cutting-edge lab techniques, accurate record-keeping, statistical data analysis, technical writing and presentation skills that will help them be a success in any field they choose to pursue. In addition, they learn how to interact and network with scientists who are experts in their field and conduct science seminars as they present their proposals and research findings to their peers, with the ultimate goal being publication. Imagine being a published scientist while still in High School! Our vision is to give our students an authentic research experience that they can take with them into their universities and ultimately change the world one day.
5. Cox Science Center and Aquarium
Girls have a bright future in Science and GEMS Club will continue to help them shine! GEMS Club offers the perfect opportunity for young girls in grades 3rd – 8th to learn and grow as they discover the exciting world of math, science, engineering, and technology. Our in-person sessions with center around a live educator and a virtual or in-person female speaker in the STEM field as we explore different STEM principles and hands-on activities at the Cox Science Center.