FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 19, 2015

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us 

GTM RESEARCH RESERVE MENTEE PLACES SECOND
IN NATIONAL STEM COMPETITION

~Student recognized for her expertise in marine biology~

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - St. Augustine middle school student Madison Toonder is reaping the rewards from mentoring programs at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTM Research Reserve). Toonder earned second place in the mathematics category of the Broadcom MASTERS national STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) competition held in California. She was chosen by a panel of distinguished scientists and engineers from 30 finalists representing 29 schools from 14 states.

"Education and research teams at the reserve support a variety of citizen science projects, which include student mentorships," said Michael Shirley, director of the GTM Research Reserve. "We have so many wonderful programs in which young people have the chance to gain hands-on experience solving real-world challenges, while being mentored by our staff."

The sixth, seventh and eighth grade students participated in a week-long series of challenges on a marine research vessel and took enrichment excursions where they toured Google, Tesla and NASA. Toonder's award was based on her oyster research project, leadership abilities in STEM challenges, presentation and communication skills, collaboration success and expertise in her field. First-place winners were awarded $3,500 and second-place winners received $2,500 to support their choice of STEM summer camp experiences.

For more information about Broadcom MASTERS, click here. For more information about the projects at GTM Research Reserve and how to find a mentor, please call Josie Spearman, environmental educator, at 904-823-4500.

About the GTM Research Reserve

The GTM Research Reserve is one of 28 National Estuarine Research Reserves across the nation focused on researching, educating and protecting the natural biodiversity and cultural resources within the estuary. It is managed by Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Office, in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Environmental Education Center is located at 505 Guana River Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, 32082. For more information about the GTM Research Reserve, please call 904-823-4500 or visit our website at www.gtmnerr.org.

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