By Sarah Sell, University Communications and Marketing
The St. Petersburg Science Festival and MarineQuest are back with engaging and informative activities in marine science, biology, chemistry, art and beyond.
More than 13,000 people are expected to attend on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the waterfront of USF St. Petersburg and outside the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. The dual events happening side-by-side in downtown St. Petersburg are designed to spark creativity, fuel curiosity and expand knowledge of science and the arts.
Exhibits include a mobile aquarium, interactive experiments, touch-a-truck display featuring law enforcement vehicles, boats and utility trucks, plus tours of ocean research vessels at USF.
The joint festival connects scientists, environmental organizations and cultural institutions with the public via immersive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations in science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).
"The St. Petersburg Science Festival is celebrating over a decade of discovery and bringing science to the public, igniting a sense of wonder and curiosity in us all," said E. Howard Rutherford, the associate vice president of development at USF St. Petersburg and co-founder of the St. Petersburg Science Festival. "It bridges the gap between scientists and the community, offering a chance to ask questions, spark ideas and engage in conversations about research outside the lab."
Experts come from USF's College of Marine Science and College of Arts and Sciences, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Clearwater Marine Aquarium, the Dali Museum, the National Weather Service and more. There are more than 150 exhibits hosted by USF and other educational organizations from across the region.
"The Tampa Bay area continues to lead the way in many fields of science and technology,” said Alison Barlow, St. Petersburg Science Festival co-chair and executive director of the St. Petersburg Innovation District. "We are fortunate that we have STEAM experts who recognize the importance of teaching our youth and their families about their work."
Students learn about getting involved in STEAM fields and different career paths through the hands-on exhibits.
Interactive and immersive exhibits for the 2025 festival include:
- Science experiments related to oceanography, environmental science, biology and chemistry
- A touch-a-truck exhibit where guests can explore a variety of city and state law enforcement vehicles, a garbage truck, an electric utility truck and a law enforcement vessel
- Tours of ocean research vessels from the Florida Institute of Oceanography
- Presentations on crime scene investigations, DNA and forensics
- Exhibits teaching children the basics of how to code
"One of the best things about this event is that it's free to attend," said Lauren Bell, hub community manager for the St. Petersburg Innovation District. "It is just a fun, family-friendly experience where you can bring your kids, their friends and enjoy the day together."
Around 1,100 school children will get a sneak peek of the St. Petersburg Science Festival and FWC’s MarineQuest during organized field trips on Friday, Feb. 7. During the preview, students learn about getting involved in STEAM fields and different career paths.
The festival also hosts the Junior Scientists program, where middle and high school students work alongside a science professional. The growing interest in STEAM subjects and student career opportunities was a major reason for establishing the festival.
This year's festival sponsors include:
- City of St. Petersburg
- Clear Channel Outdoor
- Carollo
- Challenge Island
- Duke Energy
- Eckerd College
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Greater Tampa Bay Chapter of Women in Defense
- Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
- MityMo Creative
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Ocean Conservancy
- Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital- St. Petersburg
- Pinellas County School Board
- St. Petersburg College
- St. Petersburg Innovation District
- Science Festival Alliance
- Sea Us Rise
- Tampa Bay Estuary Program
- Tampa Bay Times
- Tampa Bay Water
- U.S. Geological Survey
- USF College of Marine Science
- USF St. Petersburg
- WMNF