Unique Advanced Curriculum Course Selection; College Funding
Magnet Provides Cambridge Options
Contact Cambridge Coordinator for information: Ingrid.Hillestad@browardschools.com.
9-11 Grade Curriculum Overview
The academic requirements of the Environmental Science and Everglades Restoration magnet are established by the Broward County Public Schools district. Students must have a 2.5 unweighted GPA every semester, must maintain Level 3 or higher in Reading and Math tests and must pass four (4) core science classes taken at South Plantation as well as the four (4) themed research classes, one taken each year. (See Research Track.)
9th Grade - 202-2023
Students are on A-B block scheduling, and freshmen take in 7 courses (4 are Core Academics - math, English, science, social studies) plus a personalized Study Hall. Magnet requires a research class yearly. - Experimental Science I (Everglades Then and Now) provides an in-depth study of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee-Everglades (KOE) watershed. Modules of this course include: geography, geology, water, ecology, economics, history and CERP. Not a Core class but a requirement for all magnet students. - Honors Biology or AICE Biology (Cambridge) In Biology, they will learn the scientific method through hands-on labs. All students are required to take an End of Course exam (EOC) as required by the Florida legislature. (Students who have taken Biology and Marine Science in middle school can take the AICE Biology and/or AICE Marine Science which have an exam for Cambridge/college credit.) - Honors English I or AICE General Paper is necessary to complete graduation requirements. In addition to magnet requirements, students practice research skills and read literature based on South Florida and the Everglades. AICE students are required to take an End of Course exam required for Cambridge/college credit. - Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE) is the physical education and health course (including water safety) required for graduation. Students learn how to properly conduct themselves around water, take a swimming assessment test and complete small craft rescues in canoes. - Social Studies Core options include Pre-AICE Geography (Cambridge), Comprehensive Law Honors, AICE Thinking Skills (Cambridge). AICE students are required to take an exam required for Cambridge/college credit. - Mathematics: Core options for freshmen include Algebra 1 or Honors Algebra 1 (EOC required), Geometry, Geometry Honors or Honors Algebra II depending on test scores and middle school achievement. Elective Options World Languages: Spanish, French, Sign Language (2 credits required for Bright Futures-if not in middle school) Performing/Practical Arts (1 credit required for graduation) CTE courses (Career, Technical Education- students can earn industry certifications) HOPE - Physical Education/ Health (1 credit required for graduation) |
Research Track 9th Grade Experimental Science 1 10th Grade Environmental Science Honors or AICE Environmental Management (Cambridge) 11th Grade Experimental Science 3 or AICE Global Perspectives (Cambridge) 12th Grade Experimental Science 4 Honors with Senior Research Project A major component of the Magnet is its unique research track. In addition to classroom work with guest speakers, students participate in field trips that enrich the course content.
During the four years, students will study and experience the environment in which they live through a combination of advanced academic and Cambridge courses. The AICE curriculum enables successful students to earn collegiate credit. 
Slogging in the Everglades.
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Slogging in Research
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Learning from Professionals
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Practicing Canoe Safety.
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Cultivating Food in Science
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Sophomore Courses
- Environmental Science Honors or AICE Environmental Management (Cambridge)
Managing the environment might be the most important thing humanity has to do over the next century and beyond. Environmental categories taught in this course are atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere. In other words, the air around us, the people/ animals/ plants/ organisms, which share our Earth, the water cycle, the rocks that make-up planet Earth, and the impacts humans have on these environmental categories. AICE students are required to pass an End of Course exam (EOC) for Cambridge credit. -Honors English II or AICE General Paper is needed for graduation and including ancillary readings based on South Florida and the Everglades. This course also provides opportunities for writing assignments for environmental contests. AICE students are required to pass an End of Course exam (EOC) required for Cambridge credit. -Honors/Regular Chemistry students learn about the properties of light and matter through hands-on engagement in laboratory experiments. Other Core science options include Marine Science, Physics and AICE Marine Science. Science electives include Anatomy & Physiology, Zoology, Agri Science Foundations. - Honors/Regular World History (Required for Graduation). Students have the option of an AICE History course with an EOC required for credit. - Mathematics students are required to complete and pass an EOC exam for Algebra and a Geometry credit for graduation. - Electives: Continue CTE certification, foreign language, performing/practical arts and technology courses. |
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Junior Classes
Juniors spent time at the Marine Environmental Research Center where they used their ethical fishing methods learned as freshmen.
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- Experimental Science 3 or AICE Global Perspectives (Cambridge)
Research 3 take students beyond the Everglades into the world covering climate change, energy issues, over-population and other environmental issues world-wide. Global perspectives is a skills-based course that teaches students to find and understand credible sources, use proper citation and attribution of information, present and communicate research, and reflect on the effectiveness of both research and presentation. |
Before COVID, Global Perspectives studied the Seminole culture during a day at Billie Swamp Safari that included a swamp buggy ride through the wildlife preserve, a reptile lecture and and guided tour of the grounds and museum..
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Other courses:
-Honors English III magnet students have the option to take this course instead of AP Language or AICE English Language or General Paper. If students achieve a certain score on the AICE or AP test in May, they could receive college credit as well. Four English credits are required for graduation. Students enrolled in this class must complete magnet requirements. - Science courses must be earned on the South Plantation campus and may include Regular, Honors and AP Physics, Chemistry 2 or Marine Science. Elective science options include Zoology, Anatomy & Physiology, Agriscience. |
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