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NewsSt. Pete CatalystOctober 30, 2026Pinellas County

University of South Florida hosts STEAM-focused LaunchPAD career exploration forum

Photo: St. Pete Catalyst

University of South Florida students and faculty gathered on Wednesday for a panel discussion on integrating science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics careers. Panelists discussed the intersection of arts and sciences, practical applications of artificial intelligence, and community collaboration.

EducationCareer DevelopmentArts and CultureScience and TechnologyArtificial Intelligence
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Why It Matters

Students and community members gained insights into cross-disciplinary career paths and the application of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence in professional settings.

Key Facts

  • The event was held at the USF St. Petersburg campus as part of the LaunchPAD Career Exploration Program.
  • Makenzie Kerr, Helen French, and Brian Peret served as panelists for the STEAM-focused discussion.
  • Dr. Harris Ambush, a USF adjunct professor, moderated the conversation.
  • Panelists discussed the integration of arts and sciences, artificial intelligence tools, and community collaboration.
  • The forum was the third in a series of community leader panel discussions hosted for first-year students.
  • Previous LaunchPAD forums featured discussions on business, sustainability, civic engagement, and local history.

Who's Mentioned

PersonChristie Bruner“Chief growth and partnerships officer at Workforce Development Partners”PersonRyan Helfrick“Tampa Bay Rowdies president”PersonRui Farias“St. Petersburg Museum of History executive director”PersonDr. Harris Ambush“USF adjunct professor and moderator”OrganizationJohn Hopkins Middle School“School attended by Makenzie Kerr”OrganizationCodeBoxx Academy“Academy directed by Brian Peret”PersonSteve Westphal“St. Petersburg-based restaurateur and philanthropist”PersonHelen French“Executive director of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and professional dancer”PersonDr. Krista McGuire“Rainforest Alliance senior director of applied science”PersonRichie Floyd“St. Petersburg City Council member”otherChatGPT“AI tool referenced for editing research papers”OrganizationUniversity of South Florida“Educational institution hosting the event”OrganizationSt. Petersburg Arts Alliance“Organization directed by Helen French”PersonMakenzie Kerr“USF College of Marine Science lab manager and outreach coordinator”PersonBrian Peret“Director of CodeBoxx Academy and professional musician”