BayBiz Fall 2024

FSU Panama City STEM programs prepare the next generation

by: Tony Simmons, Program Manager for Media, Communications & Marketing, FSU Panama City

STEM is at the heart of what Florida State University Panama City does best: applying the latest in science and research to fulfill the region’s educational needs.

This summer, FSU PC’s pre-collegiate and teacher training programs (pc.fsu.edu) hosted day camps and special sessions for all ages focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

ASCENT (Advancing Science and Career Education in New Technologies) held four weeks of iCamp for grades 6-12. Campers learned digital design and programming skills and engaged in intense Mario Kart and Smash Brothers battles with the FSU PC Esports team.

“iCamp engages local students to career opportunities in computing, technology and engineering through a fourweek program that focuses on graphic design, branding, resume building, Google sheets, coding, engineering, robotics, drones and AI,” said Brianne Biddle, K-12 liaison. “Having this exposure really opens that door to so many opportunities, and hopefully inspires them to major in STEM or computing.”

ASCENT (pc.fsu.edu/ascent) was established three years ago with a 6-year, $23 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast Inc. designed to contribute to the development of a strong, regional workforce in cybersecurity and new technologies. The grant, using funds recovered for economic damages to the state that resulted from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, pledged $11.5 million in matching funds to money raised by or donated to ASCENT.

Having professionals who can fill the demand for emerging technologies is a benefit to our community, region and state,” said FSU PC Dean Randy Hanna. “Florida State looks forward to working with Triumph to develop a comprehensive approach to meet these critical needs in Northwest Florida.

ASCENT’s key goals are to increase the pipeline of students interested in engineering, computer science, information technology and cybersecurity fields through various K-12 initiatives; expand FSU PC program offerings to include an undergraduate degree in Information Technology; and deliver non-credit customized training and testing to meet regional needs of community partners.

“It’s not often you can say we’re a one-stop shop, but that’s what we are,” said Suzanne Remedies, Ph.D., a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant and the assistant director for ASCENT.

ASCENT has also received backing from the St. Joe Community Foundation, which donated more than $257,000 in the past two years to expand school-based tech clubs and iCamps. Florida Power & Light also gave $50,000 this year to support, among other initiatives, the annual Tech Expo.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

During the summer, while their students are off—or possibly attending STEM camps—public school teachers often have in-service training, certification courses and other continuing education. Many attended “Transforming Minds by Transforming the Classroom,” hosted by Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs Elizabeth Crowe and the FSU PC STEM Institute. The camp for Bay District science teachers was funded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division and Dr. and Mrs. James Cook.

ASCENT also held four weeks of T3 Academy, named for the slogan, “Teaching. Technology. Together.” The sessions for teachers explored artificial intelligence (AI), WordPress, Google, and Adobe, as well as Python coding. The aim was to train teachers so they could prepare their students for industry certification exams in those subjects. In July, the Advanced Science Diving Program at FSU PC hosted teenagers from across the Southeast from SCUBAnauts International. Already certified as scientific and rescue divers, the teens spent their week doing research projects, studying marine life, touring the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, diving the Black Bart, and learning about SONAR applications.

Part of what we’re doing is providing them opportunities to use equipment that SCUBAnauts International doesn’t have,” said Mark Feulner, Ph.D., ASDP director. “They’re going to get to see how side-scan SONAR operates and how it’s used.

The Collegiate School at FSU PC held camps in partnership with the STEM Institute for students who had completed grades 6-8. Week-long sessions focused on crime scene investigation, digital design, robotics programming, literature, public speaking and more.

The STEM Institute (pc.fsu.edu/stem) connects university resources, faculty expertise and professional know-how with school districts, educators, and students to enhance curriculum and classroom practices. Jenna Edwards, administrative specialist with TCS, said the camps were meant to encourage middle school students to “explore career options and pathways” that they could pursue at TCS and beyond.

FSU PC also teamed with Rutherford High School in Springfield for Mavericks STEM Camp, a free summer series for students in grades 7-12. The camp included AI projects,

drone flights, labs, and team challenges. Students built AI models, explored real-world applications, engaged in experiments, and learned from industry professionals.

“It was super-fun,” TCS sophomore Alina Beech said after a robotics competition.

“I am very interested in STEM fields, and I hope to one day be a rocket scientist or aerospace engineer.”