West Florida

West Florida/ Gulf Coast Region

The purpose of economic education in the schools is not to generate junior economists. Rather, the purpose of economic education is to provide students with a solid understanding of basic economic concepts. In doing so we enable them to make mature, effective decisions both in the marketplace and in the voting booth. To support this concept the USF Stavros Center provides educators with the following teaching resources:

Economic Education Workshops

USF Center staff work closely with teachers and schools in our service area to develop and implement projects that involve students in economic decision-making, free enterprise, banking, small business development, and career exploration. Many of these projects are submitted for county, state, and national competitions. In the past years, projects from our Center’s service area have won more awards at these competitions than any other service area! Resources to develop these projects are available at the Stavros Center.
Workshops

Stavros Center faculty conduct workshops and teacher training for educators from the ten school districts of the USF service area. Topics such as the success requirements of a global marketplace, environmental economics, combining social studies with Tampa Bay area entrepreneurism, and writing award-winning projects have been recent workshop offerings.

Workshop Schedule

Common Sense Economics: A Course for Educators

Sponsored by Citigroup and the USF Stavros Center
This course provides educators with an opportunity to examine the keys to wealth and prosperity, particularly the central role of individual initiative. This is not a course designed primarily for high school economics teachers, it is for all educators who want to gain some insight into how economic principles influence every decision made by individuals, nations, and every student in your classrooms. The course will feature local business leaders as guest speakers, opportunities to explore teaching resources using the Stavros Center’s computers, and the opportunity participate in lively discussions of current topics of interest. Classes will meet on Wednesdays, from January 16, to April 23, 2008 on the USF Tampa campus. Sessions begin at 6:00 p.m. and end at 8:45 p.m.

The Magic of Markets: Economics Lessons from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series

In this unique course, we will read and investigate the concepts of real-world economics as illustrated in each of the 7 novels in Rowling’s Harry Potter series. Our classes promise to be magical! We’ll apparate into Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and Diagon Alley as we explore strategies for integrating economics and reading. The course is designed to meet the needs of teachers of grades 3 through 12. Classes will meet on Tuesdays, January 15, to April 22, 2008, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the USF Tampa campus.

Attitudes, Skills and Competencies for the 21st Century: Connecting Education with Life After High School

Sponsored by the Pinellas Education Foundation
This course will identify the many outstanding opportunities that exist in the workplace for college and non-college bound students currently in our schools. Through the direct involvement of business leaders from our community this course will highlight the careers and the skills needed to be successful in life. Discussions will also focus on the hard and soft skill sets as well as the knowledge competencies students will need for a variety of career settings. Teachers will be better prepared to guide students toward careers that are in demand. Classes will meet on Tuesdays, January 15, to April 22, 2008 in Pinellas County at the Stavros Institute in Largo. Sessions begin at 6:00 p.m.

Publications and Programs

Educators in the USF service area* may request free copies of print materials by sending an e-mail request to the Stavros Center. Please include your name, school address, and phone number.

*Florida counties of Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando, Pasco, Polk, Hardee, Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, Highlands.

Visit our site for more information

Free Loan Library

The USF Stavros Center is proud of its library facility. Housed at the USF Stavros Center, first floor, the library contains texts, trade books, children’s books, magazines, journals, and newspapers to support and enrich K-12 economic lessons. All materials in our library are available for checkout to teachers in the USF Stavros Center service area. Library hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Regional Director

Dr. Dick Puglisi, Director
USF Stavros Center
University of South Florida
College of Education at the University of South Florida
4202 East Fowler Avenue, CEE 101, Tampa, FL 33620
StavrosCenter@tempest.
coedu.usf.edu

Telephone: (813) 974-2175

County Ambassadors

Apply to be an ambassador today!

Regional Events

No events.

FCEE