USF St. Petersburg aims to integrate seamlessly into the fabric of the Tampa Bay region, enhancing opportunities for students, businesses and the public. This community roundup series highlights the ways that USF faculty, staff, students and administration are active in the community. If you’d like to engage with USF St. Petersburg, or are a campus staff, faculty or student interested in engaging with the community, please contact Kelci Lancsarics.
USF St. Petersburg receives $1.5 million to enhance coastal hazard forecasting
U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna visited campus on July 30 to present a $1.5 million check in recognition of the federal funds she secured that will enhance coastal hazard forecasting of hurricanes, storm surge and red tide.
This critical support will allow the University of South Florida College of Marine Science to deploy state-of-the-art oceanographic instruments and upgrade existing sensor packages, providing the necessary data for improved hazard forecasts, evacuation planning and risk mitigation. This ocean monitoring equipment will have the ability to collect real time gulf data and better prepare local coastal communities before and after hurricanes and other natural hazards.
Launching Student Opportunities with LaunchPAD
Debuting this fall, the LaunchPAD program is re-imagined from the Innovation Scholars program that provided USF St. Petersburg students with early access to career paths over the last several years. The new LaunchPAD program aims to balance student learning with exposure to various industries, both in the classroom and the workplace. Combining mentorship with an interdisciplinary project centered around six industries - social sciences and hospitality; business and sustainability; science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM); and medical and health sciences. By introducing students to a variety of industries and potential career paths early in their collegiate experience, LaunchPAD aims to build confidence in students as they embark on their career journey. To be a mentor or community field trip site, please contact Harris Ambush.
Camp Bullseye Gives Middle School Students the College Experience
Camp Bullseye, a collaboration between the University of South Florida and the City of St. Petersburg, provided middle school students with an engaging, hands-on introduction to marine science, entrepreneurship and digital marketing all while living in USF’s dorms, fully immersed in the college experience. Now in its second year, the program was designed to engage students in career fields that are important to the region while encouraging creativity, innovation and teamwork.
Led by USF Office of Youth Experiences, students explored real-world marine science challenges impacting the local community. They had the opportunity to tour the Florida Institute of Oceanography’s research vessel, go snorkeling and take workshops on microplastics and other environmental hazards with Tampa Bay Watch, and enjoy a field trip to FloridaRAMA.
Students learned about career pathways and financial literacy with USF’s Pinellas Access to Higher Education. Through workshops with the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship and Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, teams of students applied entrepreneurial thinking and digital storytelling to create businesses that solve the most pressing environmental issues facing their communities. The week culminated in a pitch presentation of their business solutions. Through the partnership between USF and the City of St. Petersburg, Camp Bullseye equipped students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to contribute to a more innovative and sustainable future for the community.
An Energizing Experience: Duke Youth Energy Academy
Duke Energy recently hosted its annual Youth Energy Academy at the Bartow Power Plant in St. Petersburg, giving middle school aged students an inside look at the electric utility industry. In partnership with the Florida Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), the two-day program introduced participants to how electricity is generated through hands-on activities focused on solar, wind and other energy sources. Lesa Shouse from USF St. Petersburg’s Center for Career and Professional Development led the students in an interactive career interest assessment, utilizing the Holland Code to help connect students to potential careers in the STEM and energy industries.
The academy also featured presentations from Duke Energy leaders and engineering professionals who shared their career journeys and discussed opportunities within the energy sector. Speakers and panelists emphasized the importance of connecting young people to career paths they may not have previously considered. Since launching in 2012, the Youth Energy Academy has expanded to multiple locations across Florida with a goal to inspire the next generation of energy professionals by helping students better understand the industry and the role it plays in their communities.
St. Petersburg Innovation District Inspires Youth in STEM on Campus
The USF College of Marine Science, Florida Flood Hub, and USF Florida Institute of Oceanography led the students in workshops where they learned about climate and careers in STEM. Students created cityscapes that tested the water movement in different conditions, built boats from foil, made slime and many other hands-on activities. Students also had the opportunity to engage with the U.S. Coast Guard to learn about their work, try out various tools on one of the Coast Guard boats and watch a water rescue exercise.