Crowdsource platform lets residents inform policymakers on climate change solutions |
The Initiative on Coastal Adaptation and Resilience (iCAR) has passed a milestone in its project to identify climate vulnerabilities in local communities, launching an interactive platform that allows citizens from across St. Petersburg to track and monitor impacts in their neighborhoods. The system allows residents to input data on issues such as flooding and power outages, which can then be used by elected officials and neighborhood leaders to make decisions about policy and resource allocation. READ MORE
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Learning the art and science of politics on the campaign trail |
To learn about the art of politics, there is no better teacher than the campaign trail. This year, every student in Professor Judithanne Scourfield McLauchlan’s practical politics course is working on a campaign, 19 in all, where they are interning for races ranging from the U.S. presidency to local school boards.
The practical politics course teaches aspiring campaign managers, political consultants and even future politicians about campaign strategy, grassroots organization, financing, messaging and polling. READ MORE
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Yuengling and Brewing Arts program team up to enhance diversity in the brewing industry |
D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. is sponsoring a $5,000 diversity in brewing scholarship for a student from a minority group to cover the cost of tuition to USF’s St. Petersburg campus Brewing Arts program for the spring semester. The online program is designed for a range of participants, from hobbyists to enthusiasts looking to make a career in the industry. Students interested can apply from October 15 through December 31. The spring semester cohort will begin on February 1, 2021. READ MORE
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Biologists build 'gene bank' to save species devastated by toxic toads |
In August 1935, scientists released 102 nonnative cane toads in northeastern Australia, hoping the voracious amphibians would help control an onslaught of pests ravaging Queensland’s sugarcane plantations. It didn’t work and the new invaders began to spread, devastating Australia’s native predators. Now USF St. Petersburg campus professor Sean Doody is engaged in a research project to save one of Australia’s unique predators.
Doody and Macquarie University biologist Simon Clulow are leading an effort to collect sperm from goannas, a monitor lizard that has seen a massive population crash during the cane toad invasion, and create a gene bank that could save the species from extinction. Their work is part of a wider project called the Kimberley Ark, which aims to preserve the genetics of species under threat from cane toads in northwestern Australia. READ MORE
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IMMERSIVE ONLINE EXPERIENCE |
St. Petersburg Science Festival and MarineQuest goes virtual |
The St. Petersburg Science Festival and MarineQuest will offer thousands of people throughout Tampa Bay a chance to be inspired, engage their curiosity and get involved with science and art on Saturday, October 17. This year, the immersive experience connecting scientists, environmental organizations and cultural institutions with the public will be held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. READ MORE
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Researchers partner with local high schoolers to study the effects of COVID-19 on air quality |
How did the pandemic affect air quality? What are the societal and psychological consequences of those environmental changes? And what communities are most vulnerable?
Those are some of the questions a research team will investigate, trying to determine the pandemic’s effect on air quality in communities across Florida. The team will partner with Duke Energy and local high schoolers to examine key environmental impacts brought about by the coronavirus lockdown. READ MORE
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Students motivated to get real-world experiences during the pandemic |
Internships are consistently rated as one of the most rewarding experiences students can have during their college career. Hands-on learning enhances classroom knowledge, develops new skills while contributing to an organization and can help a student land a job after graduation.
Like most else in society, the pandemic has altered the internship. Some internships today are remote, while others involve wearing masks, cleaning work spaces and ensuring clients they are in a safe environment. We reached out to several students to hear about their internship experience during the coronavirus pandemic. READ MORE
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NAVIGATING HIGHER EDUCATION |
PATHe counselors guide students on journey to higher education during time of coronavirus and virtual learning |
Navigating the higher education system is challenging under the best of circumstances. Now counselors from the Pinellas Access to Higher Education (PATHe) program have the daunting task of helping students and families on that journey while also dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
The PATHe program is a partnership between St. Petersburg College and the University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus that was launched in 2018 with support from the Florida Legislature. The intent is to expand educational access and assist Pinellas County students who want to earn a college degree. READ MORE
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RESPONDING TO CORONAVIRUS |
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Responding to the pandemic through remote instruction, virtual learning and engagement tools |
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We continue to respond to the coronavirus in a number of ways to ensure our students have the tools and resources to continue their academic success, the latest health guidance and science to stay safe and numerous ways to engage with one another.
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