Education

Annual Banned Books Week from Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 was celebrated at UF in the Plaza of the Americas on Thursday. Students read literature aloud from different authors who's work has been challenged in public schools. The goal for Banned Books Week is to celebrate the liberty to read.

Alachua County's Farm to School to Work program, a place for disabled students to work in gardening and farming, expanded to a new location this Fall. This gives the students more space to grow and process healthy foods to distribute to local schools.

Students participating in a tutoring program at Inverness Middle School will get more than a grade boost. United Way of Citrus County’s Homework Diner program will give select students free math tutoring after school. The program also offers a complimentary dinner and a ride home via school bus if needed. The program, which is expected …

The Alachua County Library District recently won the Innovation of the Year award for its Sensory Storytime program. The program is designed for pre-school children with autism and other sensory integration needs.

The University of Florida purchased the Gulf Side Motel in Cedar Key and is transforming it into a biology research center. Students will have a chance to take courses in the heart of a recreational tourism and shellfish aquaculture area.

Seven students from Buchholz High School flew to Boston last weekend to compete against nearly 300 students from all over the U.S. and Canada. Buchholz's math team has won multiple state and national Mu Alpha Theta championships.

"Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead" is a new series of after-school programs through the Alachua County Library District. They focus on teaching traditional STEM topics, science, technology, engineering and math through an art lens. The sessions will include topics such as graphic design, video game and film creation and mathematically inspired works of art. The program will begin Wednesday at 4 p.m. at the ACLD's Archer Branch.

President Obama's proposal of two free years of tuition at a community college has appealed to local high school students. Quinten Eyman, coordinator of recruitment at Santa Fe College, said students have a better chance of standing out when they’re at a school with fewer than students than large universities.

STEM education is getting a lot of spotlight for giving students what they need to build strong careers, and Alachua County schools are ahead of the curve. STEM labs have been in the works at some Alachua County elementary schools for years, but now the world is looking for more educators to provide leadership in this area.

This year's sales tax holiday, which begins on Friday, has been extended to 10-days. Eligible items include clothing priced under $100, school supplies $15 or less per item and personal computers on the first $750 of sale prices.