LaunchPAD series continues with a STEAM-focused forum

University of South Florida students, faculty and community members came together Wednesday to learn more about science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) careers and integration at a panel conversation. 

The event, held at the USF St. Petersburg campus, was a part of the educational institution’s LaunchPAD (Pathways for Academic Discovery) Career Exploration Program. 

Makenzie Kerr, USF College of Marine Science lab manager and outreach coordinator; Helen French, executive director of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and professional dancer; and Brian Peret, director of CodeBoxx Academy were the panelists. USF adjunct professor Dr. Harris Ambush, who is involved with the LaunchPAD program, moderated the discussion. 

“I really love the intersection of art and science because I grew up going to John Hopkins Middle School and I got to do art when I was in school,” Kerr explained. “I’ve always brought that with me throughout the rest of my life, including now. I make scientific activities for kids. So, to do that, I have to be super creative.” 

She said that there are “so many different avenues in our community that we can collaborate with.” 

Kerr explained that she has partnered with French on projects, such as teaching individuals “different dance moves that go along with science words.” This can help people understand “that science doesn’t have to be so rigid.” It “can be a beautiful art and flow.” 

“There’s not a sector of my life, whether from an executive director standpoint or a dance standpoint, where there isn’t some integration of science, math or other skillsets,” French added. “Even our work together was about being able to communicate knowledge with the public with our bodies or music.” 

“The arts benefit from scientific advancements,” she continued. “It’s a give and take.” 

French believes that integration is “the way forward.” 

“I do see a space where we have more access to all different types of art,” she said. “I see the arts participating more broadly in the community and driving some of these things forward and also offering solutions to things like health problems that come up.”

Ambush argued that art has not only helped revitalize St. Petersburg, but other municipalities around the country as well.  

“When we see this revival happening, I think it’s more about our communities coming together to understand how we have a shared humanity,” French said. “And the arts really give that to us.” 

“In a world so dominated by tech, the most disrupting thing any of us can be is a human,” Peret added. “I agree with you that there is nothing more human than the arts. In the arts, each of us finds a way to utilize our superpower and using our superpower, we share our innermost thoughts, feelings and desires in a way that the world can consume them.” 

Peret is also a professional musician. He has played the saxophone since he was a child. 

“It’s given me all kinds of opportunities,” Peret said. “I’ve bared my soul to hundreds of crowds and in that, I gained the confidence that I use now in tech.” 

“Through the arts, I’ve developed a skill that is extremely valuable,” he continued. “I encourage you to find whatever your discipline and whatever your outlet is and use it. No matter where you’re going to go in your career, it will be an amplifier.” 

Artificial intelligence is one technology that can be used in all STEAM disciplines. 

“My goal is to teach people AI skills in a way that produces outcomes in their personal and professional lives,” Peret said. He explained that there are a variety of industries that could benefit from the tool “when AI is used as a fundamental and not just as an add-on.” 

“When I’m doing an administrative task, I use AI to build the system I don’t have,” French said. “I use it in a strategic way. I don’t use it to generate artistic content. I have marketing people and designers. I don’t think that’s maybe, in my personal belief, the best way to use AI. I think that humanity that humans bring to creation is amazing.” 

She argued that AI is best utilized as an “assistant” and “strategic thought partner.” 

Kerr emphasized the dangers of AI. To exemplify, scientists should not upload their research papers into ChatGPT for editing prior to publication.

“That’s basically like putting it on the internet for anyone to be able to see,” she said. “When you’re writing research papers, you do not want to do that because now other people have that information.” 

However, Kerr believes there are positive applications. She explained that there are AI tools that can read a research paper and then develop a podcast episode based on the work. 

“I think that’s super useful because that can help you create new questions,” Kerr said. “The more we do with all this scientific research, the less questions there are to answer. So, you have to go more specific into things.” 

Wednesday’s event was the third in a series of community leader panel discussions. The LaunchPAD program provides experiential learning opportunities for first-year students. Additionally, the initiative allows them to engage with organizations and professionals based in St. Petersburg. 

In September, Workforce Development Partners chief growth and partnerships officer Christie Bruner, Tampa Bay Rowdies president Ryan Helfrick and Rainforest Alliance senior director of applied science Dr. Krista McGuire had a conversation about business and sustainability in a LaunchPAD forum. 

Additionally, St. Petersburg City Council member Richie Floyd, St. Petersburg-based restaurateur and philanthropist Steve Westphal and St. Petersburg Museum of History executive director Rui Farias participated in a LaunchPAD panel and discussed civic engagement, history, philanthropy and community impact.