06/21/2026
Thank you for the wonderful letter in support of our educational programs.
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To the Honorable Secretary of State Cord Byrd, Senator Corey Simon, Representative Alison Tant & Representative Jason Shoaf,
As a parent of a student at Ivy Hill Academy in Tallahassee, Florida, I am writing to express deep gratitude for Aucilla Research Institute and to recognize Ms. Jana Grubbs, Mr. Tom Harmon, Dr. Andy Hemmings, Ms. Jamie Moore, Ms. Susie Reams, Mr. Richard Connell and Mr. Kash Connell for their recent visit to the soon to be kindergarten students. On June 18th, Aucilla Research Institute came to campus and gave an in depth discussion about dinosaurs and other creatures of prehistoric times on a level that not only could be understood by the children, but activate their imaginations and education.
Their time, care, and presence made a lasting impact.
They did more than give a presentation.
They opened a door.
As a parent, I have learned that for the youngest learners, science often begins as something they see in books, on television, or in pictures on a classroom wall. During this visit, Aucilla Research Institute brought that world directly to them. The students were able to see, touch, question, and experience pieces of Florida’s history in a way that made learning feel real.
For kindergartners, that matters.
At this age, curiosity is still forming. A single experience can shape how a child sees school, science, history, and their own place in the world. When students meet researchers, educators, and professionals who bring Florida’s past to life, they begin to understand that learning is not limited to a textbook. They see that discovery happens here in Florida. They see that their questions matter. They see that they can become explorers, scientists, historians, teachers, and stewards of the world around them.
Facilities like Aucilla Research Institute play a critical role in keeping future generations of Floridians inspired, educated, and motivated to keep learning.
Florida has a rich natural and cultural history. Our land, rivers, fossils, artifacts, and communities tell stories that belong to all of us. Aucilla Research Institute helps preserve those stories while making them accessible to students, families, schools, and the broader public. Their work connects research with education. It gives students access to experiences that many schools could not provide on their own.
That connection is especially important for young students.
Hands-on learning helps children build confidence. It strengthens classroom lessons. It encourages critical thinking. It teaches students to ask better questions. It helps them understand that science and history are not distant subjects. They are part of their home state, their communities, and their future.
The visit to Ivy Hill Academy showed what happens when a research and education program reaches directly into a classroom. Our students were engaged. They were excited. They were eager to learn more. They saw things they had only imagined through television and books come to life in front of them.
That kind of experience should not be rare.
It should be supported.
Aucilla Research Institute represents the type of educational partnership Florida should continue to invest in. Their work supports students, educators, researchers, and communities. It strengthens science education. It promotes preservation of Florida’s history. It gives young people a reason to stay curious and keep learning.
For these reasons, I respectfully encourage continued and future state appropriations in support of Aucilla Research Institute and its efforts.
State funding can help expand student access, strengthen educational outreach, protect research opportunities, and ensure that more Florida children can benefit from the type of experience the students received earlier today. With continued support, Aucilla Research Institute can reach more classrooms, serve more communities, and help prepare the next generation of Floridians to understand, protect, and appreciate the state they call home.
I am grateful to Ms. Jana Grubbs, Mr. Tom Harmon, Dr. Andy Hemmings, Ms. Jamie Moore, Ms. Susie Reams, Mr. Richard Connell and Mr. Kash Connell for the care they showed the students and for the work they continue to do across Florida.
Their visit reminded us that learning can begin with wonder.
With the right support, that wonder can grow into a lifelong commitment to discovery, education, and service to Florida.
Sincerely,
Scott R. Goodlin
Jefferson County, Florida
