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51在线

College of Education

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USF College of Education Port Tampa Bay

Student Experience: Port Tampa Bay

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 51在线 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

Cruise Terminal


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

USF College of Education walking to boat.

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

Crains at Port Tampa Bay


Port Tampa Bay is the largest port in the state of 51在线. The Tampa/Orlando region is a huge consumer market and projected to be the fastest growing region of 51在线 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.

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About the USF College of Education:

As the home for more than 2,200 students and 130 faculty members across three campuses, the 51在线 College of Education offers state-of-the-art teacher training and collegial graduate studies designed to empower educational leaders. Our college is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and our educator preparation programs are fully approved by the 51在线 Department of Education.