Background:
I was born and raised in Miami Florida. Before moving to Central Florida in 2007, I taught Biology, Honors Biology, Marine Science, Ecology Club Sponsor, Envirothon Sponsor, and was the Activities Director at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School (my alma mater). For two years I taught Biology and AP Environmental Science at West Port Senior High School and helped students open up a chapter of the Science National Honors Society. Here at the Villages High School, I have taught AP Environmental Science, Biology, Honors Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, Physical Science, Honors Physical Science, and started the Science National Honor Society Chapter at VHS. I am also the High School Science Fair Coordinator & Science Department Lead.
I hope you have a great summer and Congrats to the Class of 2024!
Room 5-188
AP Environmental Science
APES Supply List:
Binder with paper* (Can be shared with other courses)
Pencils, pens, highlighters
Scientific Calculator
Colored pencils or markers
Headphones/earbuds (must connect to your Chromebook)
Honors Biology
Honors Biology Supply List:
Binder with paper (can be shared with other subjects)
Pencils, pens, colored pencils
Headphones/earbuds (must connect to your Chromebook)
EF Galapagos Itinerary.pdfEcuador 2025 FAQ (Vinas).pdfAP Environmental Science Syllabus 23-24.pdfVinas Biology Syllabus 2023-2024.pdfVinas Classroom Management 23-24.pdfHS Safety Contract 2017.pdfMs. Viñas' Office Hours
All assignments, class notes, and handouts will be posted in Canvas every day. If you are absent, please check Canvas for the daily lesson including any related files and links. If you are unable to complete the assignment on your own, feel free to email me for clarification at anytime or to setup a google meet. The link for Afterschool office hours will be posted in Canvas under Announcements or if you need help during my planning period, you must email me before the start of the school day. Please watch for this email, as it will be time sensitive.
I will be available in Room 5-188 on
Wednesdays from 3:15-4:15pm or by appointment M-F
Science Fair Projects
Young minds at VHS compete each year at our school, regional, state, and international engineering fairs. We here at VHS mentor independent science research for our students. Our youth are tomorrow's inventors. These competitions are great opportunities for cash prizes, scholarships, college acceptance, along with opportunities to meet other students from the area and around the world that share similar interests and learn more about how the world works in order to offer solutions to individual, local, or even global problems.
Here is the link for the Science Fair Project Timeline for VHS
*Congratulations to our 2023 International Science Fair Winner-
Hannah Kennedy for receiving 4th place in Biomedical Engineering in THE WORLD!!!
*Congratulations to our 2023 State Science Fair Winners:
Hannah Kennedy for receiving 3rd Place in Biomedical Engineering!
Grace Froehle for receiving Honorable Mention (5th place) in Earth & Environmental Sciences!
*Congratulations to our 2023 Regional Science Fair Winners:
Grace Froehle-1st Place in Earth & Environmental Science
Special Awards: Chet Craig Plumbing Award, Felburn Foundational Environmental Science Award, NASA Earth's Systems Award, NOAA's Pulse of the Planet Award, Silver River Environmental Award, Stockholm Junior Water Prize
Hannah Kennedy- 1st Place in Biomedicine & Health
Special Award: US Metric Association Award
Olivia Williams- 3rd Place in Earth & Environmental Science
Special Award: Ricoh Americas Corporation Award & Scholarship Opportunity
Maggie Byrne- 2nd place in Chemistry
Special Award: Lockheed Martin Orlando Science Center Challenge-Opportunity Award
Precollege scholars.PDFTop_10_Facts_Parents_2021VHS.pdfHIW_Classroom_2021vcs.pdf