FLATE has a vast network of partners that works
closely with the Center in formulating STEM-based
programs that are geared to
reach out to diverse groups of students and educators across Florida. One such
partnership culminated in Fall 2015 when FLATE was invited to be part of this
elite STEM ecosystem. The Tampa Bay STEM Network (TBSN) is part of a national
Community of Practice led by the White House-initiated STEM Funders Network to
support STEM education and nurture learning opportunities for students, and is
the only recognized STEM ecosystem of its kind in Florida and in the Southeast.
The project which “was built on over a decade of research into successful STEM
collaborations,” is building momentum in greater Tampa Bay, and has a number of
outreach strategies that targets underprivileged youth by creating an
educational ecosystem.
In keeping with some of its targeted outreach goals,
Tampa Bay STEM Network, the Alliance for Public
Schools at the School District
of Hillsborough County, Moffitt Cancer Center partnered with FLATE and
Hillsborough Community College’s Brandon campus to host a STEM-themed family
night for middle and high school students from the School District of
Hillsborough County. Students and their families from Jennings Middle Schools,
McLane Middle School, Armwood and Brandon high schools were invited to attend
the STEM Family Night on December 6. FLATE and HCC took a leading role in formulating
a stimulating program designed to stir students (and their parents’) interest
in Manufacturing, and educate them about STEM related careers and educational
pathways.
STEM Family night served as an information session for
all attendees on various STEM based programs
offered by the School District of
Hillsborough County and how these programs are aligned with the FLATE-created A.S
degree in Engineering Technology degree and other STEM related A.S programs
offered at Hillsborough Community College. Students and parents also got to
meet face-to-face with local manufacturers. Roy Sweatman, president & CEO
of Southern Manufacturing Technologies, a high-tech manufacturer in Tampa spoke
to attendees about career opportunities in manufacturing available at SMT and
the educational credentials required to secure those positions. Dr. Nancee
Sorenson, President of HCC Brandon Campus and Dr. Alessandro Anzalone, Dean of
A.S. degree programs at HCC in Brandon also highlighted various programs at HCC
and how these programs prepare students with the necessary educational and
technical skills-set sought by high-tech manufacturers like SMT. “Everyone
should bring their kids to such programs so they can expand their knowledge
base about the resources, programs and careers that are available locally here
in Tampa Bay” said Liza who was attending the event with her son, Matthew, who
is a student at Brandon High School in Brandon, FL.
As a facilitator and a co-host of the STEM family
night, FLATE took a leading role in setting-up various
stations for students to
tour FLATE/HCC’s state-of-the-art engineering technology lab. During the tour
students got a first-hand understanding about engineering technology concepts
and how these are applied in high-tech operations. Attendees were separated
into four groups and rotated through eight stations that included several demonstrations.
Michell Puentes, current engineering technology student at HCC and FLATE
project assistant gave a demo of the robotic arm and electrical motors.
Michell’s presentation centered on providing students/parents a hands-on
understanding of robotics and also its real-world applications in manufacturing
operations. Michell demonstrated how students can use the teach pendant and the
software to program a robotic arm. “The process of discovery is what fascinates
me about STEM” said Rachel who currently attends Brandon High School. “It is
important to know about these technologies and educational options so you don’t
limit yourself” Rachel said.
STEM family night also included an up-close meeting
with Brandon, FLATE’s humanoid robot. Jesse
Kokotek, FLATE curriculum
coordinator who brings years of real-world experience building and programming
robots gave a demonstration highlighting robots’ potential as an educational
tool, and how robots are an extension of how STEM concepts are applied in the
real world. “My son enjoyed the demo of the NAO robot. What we saw with the
robot and how they had to troubleshoot to make it work is relevant in everyday
situations as well” Liza said.
In addition of the NAO robot, engineering technology
instructors at HCC, Ron Smith and Shirley Dobbins
gave a hands-on demo of the
3D printer and SolidWorks. HCC students from the engineering program showcased
some of their work with the electric car and showed attendees how to operate programmable
logic controllers. “What I enjoyed about tonight was the demo of Brandon, the
humanoid robot” said McKinsey, a student
at Mulrennan Middle School. As part of the tour, students also got to meet
and greet local manufacturers, and toured HCC’s state-of-the-art Biotechnology
lab in Brandon. " We try our best to make science fun and exciting for our K-12 students by encouraging their natural curiosity about the world and teaching them how to find answers themselves" Debrati Ghosh, program manager for the biotechnology program at HCC. During the biotechnology lab tour students/parents got a to see first-hand a display of DNA fingerprinting techniques to identify the suspect. Through this process students were also able to witness the transformation of bacteria with flow protein and the aseptic practices in the world of tissue culture. "Together it was the recipe for getting learners excited about and interested in the science of learning that will follow them in their future" Ghosh said.
Both students and parents deemed highly informative. “There is value in learning new things” said Michelle, who was attending the event with her daughter, Rachel. She further added that is it is important for her daughter and others students to make a connection and see first-hand what they are studying in school is relevant and how it is being applied in the real world and in high-tech industries.
Both students and parents deemed highly informative. “There is value in learning new things” said Michelle, who was attending the event with her daughter, Rachel. She further added that is it is important for her daughter and others students to make a connection and see first-hand what they are studying in school is relevant and how it is being applied in the real world and in high-tech industries.
STEM family night was the first of its kind co-hosted by FLATE, but is part of a series of STEM-themed
FLATE is looking to host similar “Engineering
Technology Experience” tours and open houses for Hillsborough County School
District students in Spring 2017. To schedule a visit to FLATE/Engineering
Technology lab at HCC contact Janice Mukhia, FLATE project/outreach manager at mukhia@fl-ate.org. For more information on
FLATE’s STEM based outreach, curriculum and lesson plans for middle and high
school students and upcoming events contact Dr. Marilyn Barger at barger@fl-ate.org, or the FLATE Wiki, www.madeinflorida.org and http://fl-ate.org/events.
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