Florida student travels to Capitol to discuss STEM program

The virtual student will meet with legislators Feb. 17

Maya Ajmera (President and CEO of Society for Science and The Public); Madison Toonder (student researcher); Scott McGregor (President and CEO of Broadcom Corporation); Paula Golden (President and Executive Director or The Broadcom Foundation)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Florida Virtual School student is preparing to sit down and meet with legislators in Tallahassee to talk about her passion, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and the importance of school choice.

Florida legislator’s offices are packed day in and day out with staff members, lobbyists and political operatives. Among them this February will be 14 year-old Madison Toonder.

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Toonder is one of several students empowered to travel to the Capitol to sit down and talk with policy makers about what is important to her.

The high school freshman will be telling Florida representatives and senators how the flexible schedule she has with virtual school allows her to conduct research for hours each day for several weeks.  That research is getting her work noticed.

 Toonder’s accomplishments include:

-          First place St. Johns County Science Fair, environmental research

-          Second place in the Florida State Science Fair

-          A special award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

-          Second place in mathematics in the Broadcom MASTERS STEM Competition

-          Nominated for a SeaWorld Youth Environment Award of Excellence

 FLVS students and Toonder will be meeting with legislators on Feb. 17, which is appropriately, Digital Learning Day.