In late October 2018, five visitors from Jordan of arrived in Pensacola as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program titled Advancing Women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). Pensacola City Council Executive Don Kraher welcomed them at Pensacola City Hall and provided an overview of the region. The group then went to the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) where they explored the IHMC’s work at the forefront of artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, and human-machine interaction with Julie Sheppard, executive vice president & chief legal counsel, before heading to the Escambia County Community and Environment Department where Water Quality Lab Manager Christy Draper gave a tour of the facility and discussed STEM Story, a local nonprofit whose mission is to encourage women to consider STEM careers.
The group spent considerable time with representatives of the Santa Rosa County Public School District to discuss their STEAM INNOVATE! program. Superintendent of Schools Tim Wyrosdick welcomed the group, as did Assistant Superintendent Bill Emerson, Director of Instructional Technology & Professional Development Michael Thorpe, Instructional Technology Integration Teacher & STEAM Innovate Liaison Michael Knowlton, Science Education Integration Teacher and GEEKS (Girls Educating and Encouraging Knowledge in STEAM) Director Amy Cozart, and Lead STEAM Innovate Trainer, Discovery Education Dacia Jones. STEAM INNOVATE! includes a STEM Leadership Corps made up of teachers and principals in participating schools to regularly report and improve upon the program. The initiative begins at the elementary school level and continues to be a vital part of students’ education through high school.
To discuss the Code and Tech Stars (CATS) Program at the University of West Florida (UWF), the group met with Dr. Brian Eddy who explained how the program helps girls in 4th through 6th grades gain skills, confidence, and enthusiasm in coding. UWF student Basil Kuloba continued the exploration of inspiring children in STEAM with a meeting focusing INERTIA, a nonprofit he co-founded with fellow students, which focuses on inspiring children in underserved communities to engage in STEAM through hands-on workshops and afterschool programs.
The group also spent time at the Pensacola MESS (Math, Engineering, Science, and Stuff) Hall where they met with Dr. Megan Pratt, founder and executive director, and spent time exploring the interactive and innovative museum. The mission of the MESS Hall is to inspire curiosity, experimentation, and creative problem solving through exploration of math, engineering, science, and stuff.
The Jordanians met with local residents at a community coffee, visited with the team at Visit Pensacola, and enjoyed their weekend at the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow. Facilitator Patricia McGraw accompanied the group to their professional appointments, adding an extra layer of hospitable warmth to their stay. The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council thanks everyone who helped make this project a success.
