There were abundant engineering learning opportunities this summer. University of Florida partnered with Sarasota area teachers and community organizations to offer camps, workshops, and professional development. In early June, North Port High School engineering instructor Ken Jakoby and Pine View School engineering instructor, Drew Wormington joined other K-12 teachers in Gainesville for a one-week training that included engineering for wind hazards at the Powell Family Structures and Materials Lab. UF Assistant Professor of Engineering Education, Dr. Jeremy Waisome, helped organize and lead the training. She explained, “The outcome is a plan to integrate something students can test in the facility into their classrooms.”
Meanwhile, back in Sarasota County, more than 40 middle school students learned about creative problem-solving and computer science through the Goldberg Gator Engineering Explorers four-day summer camp. Brookside Middle School engineering teacher, Alister Munroe, and Woodland Middle School engineering teacher (and Sarasota County CTE teacher of the year!), Arielle Wickstrom led students through engineering design challenges such as a mini carwash for Hotwheels. The young students also received welcomed guidance from Suncoast Polytechnical High School grad and UF engineering student intern, Layth Ghnaim.
In July, Unidos Now students enjoyed an engineering workshop led by UF biomedical engineering instructor Dr. Ana Porras and several of her graduate research assistants. Middle school students spent the day learning about the engineering design process and how creative problem-solving enhances solutions to complex biomedical engineering challenges.
For more information on K-12 opportunities offered through UF, contact Julee Breehne at jbreehne@eng.ufl.edu. For information on how to partner with the UF Innovation Station Sarasota County for engineering interns, contact Ann Marie Chupa at amchupa@eng.ufl.edu.