Math and science are hard at work at USF College of Education students had a great view of all the action. The port鈥檚 Director of Engineering, Jose
De-Jesus was able to share insight into the structures and systems in place at Port
Tampa Bay that enable the transportation of goods throughout the state of Florida
and beyond. As a civil engineer, De-Jesus gave an informative tour to a group of students
in their final stretch of completing their degrees. These future elementary education teachers will be inspiring their classes to follow their curiosity into STEM professions.
Inspiring students to pursue STEM occupations
It all started at the port鈥檚 Cruise Terminal 3 on a beautiful day in Tampa Bay. De-Jesus
joined Stephanie Arthur, Assistant Professor of Instruction at the USF College of
Education and her class. He welcomed them to Port Tampa Bay.
鈥淲hen I was a kid, I struggled in math and science classes, but teachers encouraged
me. Gave me ways to continue forward. Teachers helped me reach my goals,鈥� De-Jesus
said. 鈥淵ou never know how your words might inspire someone. I experienced that in
my life.鈥�
鈥淛ose always takes the time to give STEM tours of Port Tampa Bay to USF College of
Education groups,鈥� Arthur said. 鈥淚 learn something new about the port and the impact
on our local community every time.鈥�
Math and science concepts
Arthur encouraged her class of future teachers to think about problems students could
solve with math and science that are at Port Tampa Bay. By bringing more of the real-world
application of how science, math and technology inform the innovative processes of
engineering, teachers can open up student鈥檚 eyes to the many career fields that they
might one day enter. By starting in elementary school, teachers can broaden the pipeline
into STEM field careers for all students of all backgrounds.
鈥淚 could see how I could integrate science and math concepts into the classroom by
real-world examples at Port Tampa Bay. Asking questions of my students. Making it
fun for my class,鈥� USF College of Education student, Taina Chery said.
De-Jesus shared how what the students were seeing was connected to STEM concepts and
occupations at Port Tampa Bay.
Port Tampa Bay
Port Tampa Bay is the largest port in the state of Florida. The Tampa/Orlando region
is a huge consumer market and projected to be the fastest growing region of Florida
for the next 20 years with a population of more than 8 million people, plus 60 million
visitors a year.
The port has many STEM related jobs, such as mechanical, electrical, civil, structural,
geotechnical, environmental, materials, marine/coastal and chemical engineers. They
also employ environmental scientists that manage environmental stewardship efforts,
as well as surveyors, geologists, data analysts and statisticians.
Besides this STEM learning experience at Port Tampa Bay, Arthur and her STEM Integration
in the Elementary Classroom class have experienced the , , the , the at the Amalie Arena and the this semester.
鈥淭hese teacher experiences will bring the value of real-world STEM career path occupation
opportunities into the classroom,鈥� Arthur said.