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Worlds of discovery
By SUSAN THURSTON
© St. Petersburg Times, TAMPA PALMS -- Wearing a long-sleeved jacket and tiny gardening gloves, Emily Koselak slowly lowers her arm into the terrarium. "Are you scared?" asks her teacher, Mrs. Miller. "Nope." The third-grader takes a deep breath, positions her hand at the bottom and waits while her curious classmates jockey for the best view. Seconds later, an eight-legged creature crawls onto her five fingers and she gingerly raises her arm. The kids shriek as Mrs. Miller says, "Wow, she's really gotten big." And hairy. Charlotte the tarantula is among umpteen exotic "pets" that live in Kathy Miller's classroom at Lawton Chiles Elementary School in Tampa Palms. Students touch them, hold them and even take them home as part of the school's new Discovery Clubs. The PTA started the clubs in August with the opening of the new school. The clubs meet for an hour after school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Kathleen Mueller, the PTA's vice president of academics, spearheaded the program to give children something extra to do after school. "They might learn something and they might not, but they have fun," said Mueller, whose son, Ben, takes the art class. "It's a way for the kids to try new things." It's also a chance to spend more time doing what they enjoy most. Chiles offers 12 clubs on everything from animals to art to cooking to typing. Students "trade" stocks in Wall Street Wizards, paint pictures in Move over Monet and play games in Sports Madness. The program is the largest of its kind in Hillsborough County, said Nick Capitano, supervisor of community education for the district. Six or seven elementary schools have Discovery Clubs, but none are as elaborate as Chiles'. "It's one of the best I've seen," he said. "There's a lot of parent involvement in the school." The clubs meet weekly from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. for 15-week sessions. Each costs $120 per child, which covers the teacher's pay. The rest goes to the PTA for programs and activities. The PTA surveyed families earlier this year to gauge students' interests. Most said they wanted more arts, drama, sports, science and computers. With those themes in mind, the PTA recruited teachers and asked them to create clubs that match their own interests. Teachers came up with a list of 32, which was narrowed to the 12. For teachers like Miller the choice was easy: animals. "I was able to take what I love and make it an afterschool program," said Miller, who teaches math and science to gifted students during the regular school day. "This is my thing." Art teacher Joe Dyals naturally took on the art class. His students paint faces of Picasso and make portfolios for their work. Music such as 'NSync in the background gets the creative juices flowing. "We're able to do a lot more in an hour than in 40 minutes," Dyals said. "They really seem to enjoy it." The program boasts about 200 students, although some take more than one club a week. Each class has 15 to 20 participants. The clubs have been a big hit among students. They look forward to "Discovery Day" and moan when the time is over. What would they be doing at home? "Nothing," said Jillian Goldman, during art class. PTA president Kim Gilmore says the clubs benefit the entire school. Parents get an extra hour of enrichment for their children and teachers get a boost in pay. "I think the teachers have done a great job making it a fun club, instead of just a classroom situation," said Gilmore, whose fifth-grade daughter, Mackenzie, is learning to type on a computer. Gilmore hopes the activities make lasting impressions. Other parents may think twice. "Can I take home one of the bearded dragons?" one boy asks after holding the footlong reptile. "Sure," Mrs. Miller says. "Have your mom write a note." -- Susan Thurston can be reached at 226-3463 or thurston@sptimes.com.
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