News & Announcements

The Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University DRS Gifted Students began the Spring Semester by constructing a Solar Car. The students were first introduced to the idea by Mr. Stacy Tinner, Outreach Coordinator for the School of Architecture Engineering and Technology (SAET) at FAMU. The University also donated the car kits that the students are using.

Ms. Lindsey, Gifted Coordinator, stated that she is so excited to see the interest that the students display as they build their cars and use the sunlight to power their engines. Mr. Tinner also introduced numerous ways to produce power for the cars just in case there is no sunlight. This project also includes research, math, science, and technology.



Also assisting Mr. Tinner and Ms. Lindsey is a first-year volunteer Architecture student, Christin Williams. Miss Williams said, “I am so excited to be able to give back to the students here at FAMU DRS, and I am also glad to see their interest in solar energy as well as using their hands to build something.” Mr. Tinner echoed her sentiments and added, “I hope this partnership will continue and also bring awareness of the many opportunities SAET has to offer students in this community and abroad.” Ms. Lindsey said, “I really hope these activities and projects give the students exposure to the many fields of study that is available for them.”



The Gifted enrichment program has more projects planned for the spring to include coding drones and another rocket launch. Students meet Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15-4:15. For further information, please contact Ms. Nikie Lindsey at 850-412-5854.

Congratulations to our FAMU DRS Baby Rattler Girls Basketball Team and Coach Ericka Cromartie on their District 2A Championship win! We are so proud of you!

Great Things are Happening Every Day in Academic Affairs






pictured from left to right: FAMU DRS Superintendent Micheal Johnson, FBOG Chair Brian Lamb, FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maurice Edington, Ph.D.

FBOG Chair Brian Lamb Issues a $100,000 Challenge to FAMU DRS

Florida Board of Governors (FBOG) Chair Brian Lamb issued a $100,000 challenge to his high school alma mater, Florida A&M University Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS), to promote science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) educational opportunities for students.

Lamb addressed FAMU DRS students yesterday during the district's “Governor Brian Lamb Day.” During his remarks, Lamb shared he and Micheal Johnson, FAMU DRS superintendent, previously spoke about financially supporting the school's vision for STEAM education.

“JP Morgan Chase and our Advancing Black Pathways Center of Excellence is willing to take on a challenge...where we can invest $100,000 into helping our Baby Rattlers engage deeper in the programs you have around STEM and STEAM," Lamb said.

Johnson responded his goal is to build a STEM lab in a nearby field on campus and later added he is appreciative of the attention to STEAM and the tangible dedication of the district's partners.

"Of course, we are grateful for all of our partners, but it is even more special, more noteworthy when our alumni return and literally build pathways to success for our students," said Johnson.

Lamb’s challenge came after he used a basketball analogy to inspire students. The former 30-points-per-game-scorer recalled winning a state basketball championship in the 1993-1994 season; ending a nearly 25-year drought for the DRS boys’ basketball program. He later played basketball for the University of South Florida, where he also earned bachelor's and master’s degrees.

In addition to his role as chair for FBOG, Lamb has a lifelong dedication to diversity and inclusion efforts and serves as the global head of diversity, equity and inclusion at JP Morgan Chase where he is redefining how the firm addresses efforts to create a more equitable environment for its employees, partners, and underserved communities. He is also an executive sponsor of the organization's $30 billion Racial Equity commitment and Second Chance Coalition.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - Six Leon County students were awarded $1,000 scholarships Wednesday at Leon County’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.

The celebration was hosted by The MLK Foundation Inc. and Inter-Civic Council of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Two students each from Rickards High School, Godby High School and FAMU DRS were recognized.

Recipients of this year’s scholarships were Rickards’ Arianna Jones and Ryan Little, Godby’s Ayliah Chukes and Taurique Clark and FAMU DRS’ Tearrius Jackson and Deja Harris.

Source: WCTV (https://www.wctv.tv/2022/01/12/six-leon-county-students-awarded-scholarships-annual-mlk-celebration/)

Congratulations to our 2021-2022 FAMU DRS Best and Brightest School Representatives! We are very proud of our scholars and celebrate their accomplishments.

Science & Health - Kaniyah Harris
Art - Darell Williams
English - Shanice Strong
Music - Makaylah Jackson
Leadership - Deja Haire
Drama/Performing Arts - Jarrett Johnson
Athletics - Suraya Wash
Career Technology - Joshua Israel
Technology - Anthony Forbes
Journalism - Ari Dorsey
Business - Tykira Adderley
Foreign Language - Antwania Davis
Public Speaking - Amani Hankins
Social Science - Lanaija McMillan

Thank you to our FAMU DRS Best and Brightest Advisor, Mr. Anthony Thompson.

Florida A&M University Developmental Research School (FAMU DRS)
recently established a partnership with Reconstruction US, an organization offering a unique curriculum designed for diverse students.

The innovative curriculum is delivered online by real instructors and offers students a variety of courses not typically available in traditional classroom settings.

"This is an opportunity to provide fresh and neoteric instruction methods and ideas while also celebrating the global contributions of Black people," said FAMU DRS Superintendent Micheal Johnson.

Using a rigorous curriculum, Reconstruction US instructors will lead small groups of six to 10 students in discussions, classroom activities and laboratory projects.

"Positive, identify-affirming education is crucial to and for our students," Johnson said." Strengthening cultural identity and negating stereotypes through rigorous instruction is a win for all of us."

This semester, FAMU DRS will begin the partnership with a pilot Pre-Advanced Placement (AP) program for select sophomores and juniors. Additional accelerated and enrichment classes will be offered this summer to students in all grades.

As described on its website, "Reconstruction US was created by a dream team of artists, mathematicians, literature geeks, entrepreneurs and illustrators to empower students and their communities through an authentic education." It was founded by Kaya Henderson, former chancellor for the District of Columbia (DC) Public Schools, and Roland Fryer, professor of economics at Harvard University. Geoffrey Canada, president of the Harlem Children's Zone, serves as an educational advisor.

Congratulations to the participants and winners of the FAMU DRS Economics and Financial Literacy Business Fair. Hosted and sponsored by Mr. Anthony Thompson, this event allows students the opportunity to explore the various aspects of entrepreneurship, economics, and financial literacy in real-world, practical applications. The Economics and Financial Literacy Business Fair not only showcase these scholars' efforts, it also allows them to share their knowledge and these critical skills with other students, faculty, staff, administration, family, and friends. We salute and congratulate these scholars!

Best Business Venture overall –  

1st Place Everything Black Community Services (Deja Haire & Makaylah Jackson)

2nd Place Great Rising Vegan Donuts (Amani Hankins) 

3rd Place A&J CBD Dispensary (Antwania Davis & JahNiyah Willis) 




Best Business Proposal –  

1st Place Everything Black Community Services (Deja Haire & Makaylah Jackson)

2nd Place Remedy Business Planner App. (Joshua Israel)  

3rd Place Great Rising Vegan Donuts (Amani Hankins) 




Best Sales Pitch –  

1st Place Everything Black Community Services (Deja Haire & Makaylah Jackson)

2nd Place Kohi Keopi Korean Pop Genre Cafe (Cindy Hernandez & Barrington Robinson) 

3rd Place Great Rising Vegan Donuts (Amani Hankins) 




Most Costumers –  

1st Place A&J CBD Dispensary (Antwania Davis & JahNiyah Willis)

2nd Place Great Rising Vegan Donuts (Amani Hankins) 

3rd Place Everything Black Community Services (Deja Haire & Makaylah Jackson) 




Most Revenue –  

1st Place Everything Black Community Services (Deja Haire & Makaylah Jackson)

2nd Place Great Rising Vegan Donuts (Amani Hankins) 

3rd Place A&J CBD Dispensary (Antwania Davis & JahNiyah Willis)

There were 8 teams who competed Thursday, November 4, 2021 in the 1st ever Vex Robotics IQ League competition at Fairview and our very own Baby Rattlers (All Girls Team) pulled off the victory! 😍

Please help me congratulate them when you see them today! They deserve it!

Team 1- Baby Rattlers-Captain- Bariki Otieno - 6th Grade;
1. Zarreya Stewart-Programmers - 8th Grade;
2. Azariah Jean-Builders - 7th Grade;
3. Deziraye Burgess-Driver - 5th Grade;
4. Janyla Peterson-Builders - 6th Grade

We want to send a special thanks to the parents who were able to attend and show support to our students.

Our second team (Rattler Pride) came in 5th place, and you know they will be aiming for the 1st place spot next time! So, plan to support this exciting time!

If you would like to see them in action, please come and support them when they compete again next week in our (FAMU DRS) cafetorium, Friday November 12, 2021, at 6 pm.

FAMU College of Education and FAMU Developmental Research School faculty, staff, and administration sends everyone positive holiday wishes in FAMU TV20 video.

By: Alison PoseyPosted at 12:24 AM, Oct 26, 2021 and last updated 12:24 AM, Oct 26, 2021
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — For the first time in seven years, we're not going to see the Turral twins on a Big Bend basketball court this season. Four of those seasons were spent in a FAMU DRS Baby Lady Rattler uniform, a team that's coming off their eleventh straight trip to the state final four.

Monday was day one of practice for high school girls basketball teams across the state of Florida, FAMU DRS included. Along with losing the Turral twins, they're losing three others who signed college scholarships.

For this program though, it's about reloading. The goal is the same, and that's something everyone here knows.

"We're just building from last year's team. We had a great team last year, but now it's a new season," said head coach Ericka Cromartie. "We have to make adjustments and get better. We've made it there consistently and came up short. This time, I'm like okay, what else is it that needs to be done? Let's bring it back. It's different. Their attitude is different, they're tuned in, they're encouraging one another. It's more of a camaraderie this year."

The first regular season game for DRS is November 18th when they face Leon.

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