Dowdell Middle Magnet School

This Saturday, Mrs. Pacelli attended the ZooTampa STEM Event with five student volunteers (Noah Martinez, Naomi Laws, Sonia Pierce, Laylanie Johnson, Ciara Williams) who led hands-on shark learning experiences for the public.

Students facilitated four interactive stations: a shark dichotomous key inspired by my professional development with Guy Harvey Conservation, shark tooth identification, shark diet matching, and shark conservation.

What stood out most wasn’t just their knowledge - it was their kindness and flexibility as they adjusted explanations for learners of all ages.

To celebrate their leadership, we ended the day with a behind-the-scenes zoo experience, including an observation of a training session with Studa, the zoo’s elephant.

Real-world learning, paired with joy and responsibility, leaves a lasting impact.