The engineering expo at the University of South
Florida is a yearly event that seeks to educate K12
students about the
importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM. The
Expo is a free two-day event and features hands-on exhibits and shows that encourage
students to explore STEM-based fields. The event offers a fun and unique
opportunity for students across Tampa Bay and the central Florida to interact
with local engineers and engineering student organizations at USF. FLATE has
always participated at the Expo as it serves as an effective outreach mechanism
to reach out to local students and educators, and inform them about FLATE’s
STEM programs for middle and high school students as well as manufacturing jobs
and career paths.
This year the Engineering Expo hosted approximately
14,000 students, youth groups and families. There
were large demos and shows
presented by local engineering firms. FLATE was there at the expo, and featured
a gamut of displays that piqued many a students’ interest. The FLATE team included
Dr. Marilyn Barger, Dr. Richard Gilbert and Danielly Orozco. It was a learning
experience for FLATE student assistants Alejandro Rojas and Elizabeth Duran who
were also on site to promote FLATE’s STEM programs. Rojas who is currently
pursuing an A. S degree at Hillsborough Community College and intends to major
in mechanical engineering stated the Expo helped sharpen his communication
skills as he helped students design buttons while answering questions about the
applications of STEM concepts in each of the activities. Visitors to the FLATE
booth also learned about manufacturing careers, free online lesson plans,
manufacturing video and curriculum.
The “FLATE Wheel of Fortune” was once a hit as
students and visitors to the booth attempted to answer
trivia questions on
Florida manufacturing. The hands-on button making activity facilitated by FLATE
student assistants was hugely popular as students formed a constant line to try
their hand in button making while applying manufacturing concepts. A total of
200 badges were made during the Expo! FLATE staff also shared information with
teachers about the engineering technology program at Hillsborough Community
College and at 18 state and community colleges across Florida. The Expo’s
mission to “provide safe, entertaining, and educational exhibits to visitors so
that they become more passionate and more involved in engineering, and show
them how STEM affects the world around them” was fully accomplished as groups
of excited and engaged students asked lots of questions, while touring exhibits
and taking part in interactive activities and contests.
For more information on the
engineering expo visit http://expo.eng.usf.edu. For information on local engineering technology programs
at Florida high school and two/four year colleges visit
www.madeinflorida.org/engineering-technology-degree, or contact Dr. Marilyn
Barger at barger@fl-ate.org.
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