Application for EARTh Center Institute at St. Petersburg

Join the EARTh Center for a hands-on professional development institute designed for community college environmental technology and STEM educators. Over three days in scenic St. Petersburg, Florida, participants will explore how technology, innovation, and conservation intersect to create exciting opportunities for the future workforce in several environmental-centered industries.

The program will feature collaborative sessions at St. Petersburg College’s Bay Pines STEM Center, where educators will engage in the design and application of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), microplastics education with hands-on labs, and discuss how emerging technology impacts environmental education.

Participants will also take part in exclusive industry tours, like the Pinellas County’s Waste-to-Energy Plant and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where they’ll gain insight into regional conservation initiatives, sustainable infrastructure, and workforce pathways in water, energy, and marine science sectors.

Throughout the event, educators will collaborate with peers from across the US, share classroom-ready ideas, and discover new strategies to inspire student research and engagement in environmental technology.

Program Highlights
- Tours to industry sites that are incorporating innovative technologies and methodologies in their operations
- Hands-on labs featuring underwater ROVs and microplastics
- Conversations about the changing ecological and terrestrial landscapes
- Close-up experiences with native (and invasive!) Florida aquatic wildlife
- Small group setting for networking and peer-to-peer connection

Participants will Receive:
- Travel reimbursement
- Participation stipend of $575
- Classroom resources to duplicate some of the hands-on labs

Key Dates: 
Application Deadline: January 9, 2026
Selection Notifications: By January 16, 2026
Event Dates: March 12-14 (Participants will arrive 3/11 and depart 3/15)

Questions?
Email Tiffany Breindel (tbreindel@cccc.edu)

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Please list relevant environmental and natural resource courses/classes you have taught in the last 2-3 years (if any): *
With the stated program objectives in mind, please provide a few sentences describing the attributes you possess, or any unique circumstances you have that would distinguish you as someone who should participate in this EARTh Center Institute:
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Program Objectives:
1. Immersive Field Experiences: Gain firsthand insights into the environmental complexities of coastal western Florida through site visits and hands-on labs.
2. Community of Practice: Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to enhance classroom instruction and create shared resources.
3. Curriculum Integration: Leverage knowledge and activities from the program to develop engaging coursework for students.
4. Long-Term Impact: Develop planning documents, collaborative resources, and engagement plans to ensure experiences translate into tangible benefits for students and peers.
In a few sentences, express why you are interested in attending this professional development event: *
In a few sentences, please reflect on how you will spread the impact and knowledge gained from your participation in this program: *
Have you attended other EARTh Center Institutes or events?  (i.e. webinars, ATE Central Office Hours, conference sessions, etc.) *
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