Florida STEM Leader Drives Career Readiness with Strawbees

Over ten years ago, Santa Rosa County began working to transform public education. Through the Santa Rosa STEAM Innovate Professional Learning Program, the district formed small groups of teacher-leaders at all 35 schools to get trained in STEM and STEAM education. From there, the teacher-leaders shared what they learned with others at their school. Through this model, Santa Rosa was able to quickly build capacity for STEAM instruction from PreK-12th grade.

More than ten years later, Santa Rosa classrooms are now student-centered and use project-based learning. Coordinator of STEAM, Michael Knowlton, helps direct student learning by focusing on career connections, workforce development, and soft skills by expanding STEAM labs, starting STEAM clubs, and launching what he calls the “Santa Rosa STEAM Think Tank.” Michael began his career as a middle school English teacher, finding creative ways to bring STEAM into his lessons. His efforts earned him recognition across the district, and when a new opportunity opened up, he jumped at it—and it’s been full STEAM ahead ever since.

“I knew there was something special about STEAM instruction, about imploring students to think about their future and give them purpose. So, I became the sort of guru at my school for STEAM. Soon, the district took notice of some of the great things we were doing in the classroom.”

Now, as STEM Coordinator for a district of over 30,000 students across 35 schools from Pre-K to 12th grade, Michael has a big job. Using his mobile STEAM lab, the Santa Rosa Think Tank, he visits every school in the district—leading weekend events, after-school programs, family engagement nights, and even teaching in classrooms.

“We support students from their very first day of school all the way through graduation and into their first jobs and careers.”

Typically, the Think Tank sets up in the largest room at each school, filling it with different technology stations. On a typical STEAM Night, Michael welcomes 500 to 1,000 students along with their parents, families, and siblings—all excited to explore the world of STEM.

Michael also takes his work beyond the classroom, partnering with programs like Space Florida to help students get ready for the workforce and earn industry certifications in aerospace.

“Strawbees has been a game-changer in introducing students to aerospace, computer science, AI, and—just as importantly—the soft skills they develop in class and at events.

We’re transforming public education simply by bringing these opportunities directly to students.”

One of Michael’s proudest moments was bringing over 800 high school students to Naval Air Station Pensacola in partnership with NASA and Space Florida to experience a special Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow—a powerful step in connecting hands-on activities like building with straws to real-world exploration of space.

“A big part of what we do is inspire, but it’s always with the end goal of preparing students for their future—and more importantly, meeting the needs of the workforce. And when we talk about that, we’re thinking on a local, regional, state, and national level.”

Engaging students with STEM Nights early on is key to sparking interest in future careers and setting a strong foundation for long-term success.

“With Strawbees, it might start as simply as building a prototype plane. Students can create a hang glider, test its flight path, and make improvements. When they run into a problem and work through it, they’re using the scientific method—going back, analyzing, and retesting. It’s hands-on learning that mirrors the problem-solving process used in most careers.”

Michael’s Think Tank isn’t just about teaching concepts—it’s about preparing students for the future and helping them understand why school matters. A big part of that is exposing them to a wide range of STEM careers. Reaching students at every grade level makes that impact even stronger.

“Strawbees Classroom makes it incredibly easy, especially for teachers who are just getting started. It’s a hit with younger students in primary and elementary grades, but our middle and high school students enjoy it just as much.”

Getting teachers on board has been easy, in part, because Strawbees taps into their nostalgia for K’nex toys from childhood.

“I like to joke when I introduce Strawbees by saying, ‘Welcome to the next generation.’ They’re reusable, more affordable, and if a student breaks one, it’s no big deal. It’s such a friendly, approachable tool—everyone knows what a straw looks like.”

Of the numerous educational technologies used in STEAM instruction, Strawbees is one of the easiest for teachers to pick up and start using.

“It’s the simplicity of the product and how user-friendly Strawbees Classroom is for teachers. They can just go to the site and start using it right away. I only wish I had met Strawbees sooner.”

With strong support from dedicated teachers and administrators, Michael has built incredible momentum for project-based learning in Santa Rosa County. He’s always pushing forward, innovating alongside motivated educators who constantly bring fresh ideas. And at every STEAM event, he sees the results of that decades-long effort come to life.

“We see instant engagement when students start working with Strawbees. They team up with a shared goal, learning to collaborate and support each other in small groups. It’s inspiring to watch—a student hugging a parent in excitement or asking, ‘How do I do this?’ Strawbees strikes the perfect balance: familiar enough to feel easy, but unique enough to be meaningful and purposeful.”

And all of this is done with just seven Classroom Kits. Thanks to the cross curricular and scalable application of Strawbees, Michael foresees his kits going further and further as he continues to develop the Santa Rosa Think Tank.

“The usefulness, simplicity, and support from Strawbees—both in person and online—make it a great starting point no matter where you are in your teaching journey. Whether you’re a seasoned teacher looking for something new or a first-year teacher finding your way, Strawbees fits in any classroom. Your students will learn—and they’ll have fun doing it.”

A group of students building with Strawbees.

Nothing else matters

Nothing else matters

A group of students holding up a Strawbees build.

Nothing else matters

“We see instant engagement when students start working with Strawbees. They team up with a shared goal, learning to collaborate and support each other in small groups."

Michael Knowlton

STEM Coordinator, Santa Rosa School District, Florida

Transforming STEM Education in Florida

Background

Implementation

Outcomes

The Santa Rosa Think Tank

Michael Knowlton