University High School's Global Information Future Technologies ( GIFT) Magnet School Program

摘要

This is the story of an existing, and yet still evolving, Modeling and Simulation education program in a public high school in Orlando, Florida. Working with the National Center for Simulation (NCS), the University High School (UHS) @ Research Park (RP) Academy initiated plans in the spring of 1999 to become a countywide magnet school in modeling & simulation technologies. To become a magnet school, first a focus school must be established and functioning for a year as an academy within the existing school population. After a successful year as an academy, the school board approves a proposal to become a countyw structure that cannot be duplicated easily at another school. Since the UHS is uniquely located just a few blocks away from the University of Central Florida Research Park and campus, the staff at UHS forged a strong bond with the community professionals who work there. The close affiliation with the Research Park was important in gaining approval as a magnet school. This includes a strong bond not only with the NCS, but also with the newly formed School of Optics.