Bay Pines STEM Center
St. Petersburg College's new Bay Pines STEM Center is a hands-on science learning complex adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway in Pinellas County. The $4.7 million facility opened in 2017 and provides research opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math. In 2016, SPC received $2.5 million from Florida Legislature Public Education Capital Outlay funds for the project.
The campus is located at 4723 Bay Pines Terrace in St. Petersburg.
State-of-the-art laboratories
The building has two state-of-the-art labs with high definition equipment for projecting microscopic images and other graphics. The largest lab can accommodate 24 students, while the smaller lab allows for group research projects.
SPC students enrolled in marine or environmental-themed courses can access all of the lab equipment, including microscopes, incubators, refrigerators, measuring and calibration equipment and autoclaves.
The center's auditorium/multipurpose room seats up to 90 people and can also be divided into two separate spaces. The space features an associated catering kitchen to support events and is an ideal meeting space for college or community groups.
Wireless sensors monitor local environment
Wireless sensors on the property can measure a variety of physiological characteristics such as plants and water conditions during a hurricane. The sensors were designed by SPC engineering technology students in collaboration with biology, environmental, marine biology, microbiology and chemistry students. The data will eventually be available online.
Community collaboration
This facility welcomes community and research groups focused on studying the environment. SPC plans to collaborate with Pinellas County Schools to serve as a professional development resource for local science faculty and teachers. The learning center will also serve as a site for local middle and high school science fairs, among other events.