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Florida Polytechnic University Board Welcomes Eliot Peace

Students engaging in diverse STEM activities at a local event.

News Summary

The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees has appointed Eliot Peace, Deputy General Counsel at General Dynamics, to enhance STEM education efforts. This announcement coincides with innovative local initiatives, including a portable energy storage solution for hurricane preparedness developed by a young entrepreneur. Additionally, the recent Lealman STEM Day event attracted nearly 100 participants and showcased diverse STEM activities, highlighting the importance of youth engagement in science and technology. These developments reflect a growing commitment to improving education and community support in STEM fields.

St. Petersburg, Florida – The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees has welcomed Eliot Peace, Deputy General Counsel at General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, as its newest member. Peace’s expertise in law and the defense industries is expected to bolster the university’s focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. His appointment comes at a time when the educational landscape is increasingly emphasizing STEM fields, which are vital for job growth and innovation.

In conjunction with this board announcement, an innovative 19-year-old entrepreneur from Palm Harbor has developed a portable energy storage unit, aimed primarily at assisting residents during the upcoming hurricane season. This product reflects a growing interest among young people in creating solutions to real-world problems, particularly those related to natural disasters.

Recently, the Lealman STEM Day event, themed “Space 4 All,” attracted approximately 100 participants, primarily students in grades 5 through 8. The free event was held at the Lealman Exchange, designed to inspire local youth about the possibilities in STEM careers. Activities included hands-on demonstrations with an astrophysicist as well as interactive projects, such as launching model rockets and testing lunar landers.

The keynote speaker for the event, Julia Clark, the assistant director and lead instructor at Space Trek, emphasized the importance of women in STEM careers, thereby promoting diversity within the field. The Lealman STEM Day was supported by various community partnerships, including the Tampa Bay Times Newspaper in Education initiative, the Tampa Bay STEM Network, and the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative.

This event also forms part of a larger initiative aimed at aiding the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area, classified as “disadvantaged” by county documents. The community has an urgent need for engaging STEM initiatives, given its historic socioeconomic challenges. NASA supported the event through its Next Generation STEM project, granting $3.7 million to 17 institutions nationwide to promote STEM education in underserved regions.

During the STEM Day, children were invited to partake in a variety of creative projects, which included constructing lunar landers using disposable cups and launching water-powered rockets. One especially engaging activity, involving Stomp Rockets, required students to apply math skills while targeting specific distances for their rocket launches. Such activities expose students to the necessary skills for high-paying careers in STEM while fostering creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.

Events like the Lealman STEM Day aim to demonstrate to students that STEM careers extend beyond the traditional roles, such as astronauts. By showcasing diverse applications within STEM, the initiative seeks to captivate students’ interest and broaden their perspectives on potential career paths in science and technology.

According to Torry Johnson from NASA, initiatives like the one in Lealman act as catalysts, connecting community aspirations with the broader objectives of space agencies. This engagement can lead to a stronger relationship between students and advancements in science and technology, encouraging a new generation to pursue careers that have the potential to shape the future.

The successes of the Lealman STEM Day and the appointment of Eliot Peace to the Board of Trustees signal a continuing commitment to enhancing STEM education and preparing future innovators in Florida. As challenges around climate, technology, and economic disparities persist, programs focused on STEM will likely play a crucial role in empowering communities and driving progress.