Ice Cream at Armature Works

Adhering to the UT Spartan Shield and CDC guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic has meant the Honors Executive Council has had to become particularly creative when thinking of ideas for activities and excursions for Honors students. One that worked was to walk from UT’s campus along the Tampa Riverwalk to Armature Works where we got ice cream at Astro Ice Cream. The walk was just over 2 miles round trip. Aside from when we were inside Armature Works ordering our ice cream, we were outside and able to physically distance. The students were able to eat together in small groups to limit physical proximity. It was a nice opportunity to enjoy Tampa and build a sense of community.

young people sitting apart eating ice cream

Symposium – Jennifer Blessing – Women in STEM

Dr. Jennifer Blessing, a faculty member in UT’s department of psychology, presented to the Honors students on her research studying women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). As a developmental psychologist, her focus is on younger children. She is particularly interested in the messages young women receive about STEM and how they perceive STEM. Her latest project focuses on young women involved in FIRST LEGO League, a robotics competition.

Thalia Garcia & Brianna Lovett @ Cypress Point Park

Honors students Thalia Garcia & Brianna Lovett spent two hours cleaning up trash at Cypress Point Park. The Honors Program adopted Cypress Point Park for trash clean up but has not been able to organize a large group to clean up the park since the beginning of the pandemic. Even so, a number of students have gone to the park in pairs to spend time cleaning up.

two young women in front of a Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful sign
Thalia Garcia and Brianna Lovett at Cypress Point Park