Local Partners Unite to Inspire Future Female Leaders in STEM

June 13, 2024

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Tampa, FL (June 10, 2024)— The Florida Aquarium and the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) are teaming up with Hillsborough County Public Schools and ZooTampa at Lowry Park to inspire young girls in middle and high school to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through the innovative Mission: Tampa Bay all-girls summer camp. This immersive, week-long camp offers a unique blend of interactive learning and real-world experiences aimed at empowering the next generation of female STEM leaders.

During the camp, the young scientists will build Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV)—essential tools in ocean exploration—which they will design and construct at MOSI under the guidance of AMRoC, Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics Center Fab Lab. Following the build, the girls will visit ZooTampa at Lowry Park on Tuesday to learn about critical manatee care. Wednesday afternoon, they will travel to The Florida Aquarium for an overnight stay, where the students will test their underwater technology in the Aquarium’s Coral Reef habitat. This hands-on experience allows campers to make necessary modifications before deploying the ROVs in Hillsborough Bay Thursday morning aboard the Bay Spirit II catamaran.

The camp provides a comprehensive introduction to marine science and technology, highlighting the critical challenges facing local waterways and emphasizing the importance of marine conservation. By exposing these young scientists to diverse careers in STEM, the program aims to address the gender gap in these fields and inspire the next generation of female engineers, scientists, and innovators.

“One of the most exciting aspects of our camp is seeing kids engage in real hands-on science,” said Debbi Stone, The Florida Aquarium’s Senior Vice President of Engagement and Learning. “We want to introduce these girls to various jobs they might never have envisioned before, from technology to life sciences. Our community benefits greatly when girls of all backgrounds have opportunities to learn about STEM. We never know where our next superstar is coming from.”

Statistics show women remain significantly underrepresented in the STEM workforce, making up only a third of STEM workers. Through a grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), The Florida Aquarium, MOSI, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park and Hillsborough County Public Schools offer this experience, at no cost to participants who are selected by their schools, to inspire a passion for STEM in young women that will drive innovation and discovery in the years to come.