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Stavros Center Programs, Workshops and Seminars

The Stavros Center hosts numerous *FREE* professional development opportunities throughout the school year and summer for K-12 educators. The workshops are aimed at arming teachers with tools for implementing economic education and financial literacy curriculum into their classrooms. Subject areas vary from Science, Social Science, Civics, Economics, Math, Sustainability and more.

We distribute fliers VIA district contacts within 6 surrounding counties including: Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota.

We look forward to having you join us for these exciting and interactive professional development activities. Below you will find a list of current programs and workshops for educators. For more information about upcoming workshops and seminars, or to be added to our mailing list, please contact us.

Every workshop has a "Registration Survey" button at the bottom of the description. One week before the workshop you have registered for, you will receive a confirmation email that includes details and parking information. Additionally, a reminder is sent the day before. In person workshops are held at USF Tampa in the Stavros Center (4111 USF Willow Dr. Tampa, Fl. 33620) from 5:30pm-8:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursday. Virtual Workshops vary.

Spring 2026 Semester Workshops:

March:

Tuesday, March 24, 2026- Classroom Intelligence: Using Google AI for Learning Innovation (Financial Literacy) Sponsored by: Citi Bank

Classroom Intelligence: Using Google AI for Learning Innovation (Financial Literacy)
Empower your teaching with the latest in Google AI tools! In this hands-on professional development workshop, K鈥�12 educators will explore practical, classroom-ready ways to integrate AI into financial literacy instruction. Discover how AI can streamline lesson design, personalize learning experiences, support student inquiry, and enhance engagement with real鈥憌orld financial concepts. Walk away with strategies, resources, and confidence to bring innovative, AI鈥憄owered learning to your classroom.

Thursday, March 26, 2026- Future Ready Problem Solving (Innovative Mindset) Sponsored by: William Gregory Foundation

How should we be teaching the Class of 2038? What does real innovation look like inside today鈥檚 organizations, and how do leaders make decisions when the answers aren鈥檛 always clear?In this interactive workshop, participants will engage with fellow educators and thought leaders to explore authentic challenges shaping organizations and communities. Through a facilitated panel conversation, participants will examine real constraints, consider competing priorities, and develop strategic responses to complex, unscripted scenarios.Participants will gain insight into how leaders navigate ambiguity, respond to setbacks, and refine ideas under pressure, then translate these approaches into classroom-ready strategies that build persistence, critical thinking, and confident communications skills essential for the Class of 2038.

Panelists for the event include:

Crystal Stutler 鈥� Educator and leadership coach with more than 20 years of experience in leadership, coaching, and strategic consulting, Crystal partners with individuals and organizations to accelerate success. Crystal has advised C-suite executives at the world鈥檚 largest bank and other organizations, bringing a perspective that blends high-level strategy with practical, real-world execution.

Michelle Moore 鈥� Michelle Moore鈥檚 career spans education, enterprise partnerships, and revenue strategy. Beginning as an educator, she later led customer success and strategic account teams across edtech and SaaS organizations, managing complex portfolios and helping organizations translate big ideas into sustainable systems.

John Licato 鈥� Founder of Actualization AI and associate professor in the Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing at the University of South Florida, founder of the Advancing Machine and Human Reasoning (AMHR) Lab, and owner of Actualization.AI. He earned a PhD in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2015, specializing in computational models of analogical reasoning.

Csaba Osvath 鈥� Csaba Osvath, Ph.D., is Creative Director of the USF Sarasota鈥揗anatee Collaboratory for Innovative Learning and an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the 最新天美传媒. His work focuses on integrating immersive and emerging technologies into education through human-centered design to foster creativity, innovation, and digital mindfulness.

April:

Thursday, April 9, 2026- Money Talks: Teaching Finance Through Theater, Music & AI Magic (Financial Literacy) Sponsored by: Grow Financial

Bring financial literacy to life through the power of performance! In this interactive workshop, educators will explore how role-play, skits, and songs can make complex financial concepts like budgeting, saving, investing, and economic history both engaging and memorable for students. Participants will also discover how to use free AI tools, such as MagicSchool, to generate creative, standards-aligned content 鈥攊ncluding student-ready scripts and songs that turn money lessons into classroom hits. Whether you're teaching elementary or secondary students, this session will equip you with innovative strategies to connect with diverse learners, deepen understanding through storytelling, and integrate AI to support both creativity and curriculum goals. Perfect for educators looking to blend the arts, AI technology, and financial literacy in meaningful and exciting ways.

Tuesday, April 14, 2026- Don鈥檛 believe Everything you Believe ( Financial Literacy) Sponsored by: Seacoast Bank

In a world flooded with misinformation, financial scams, and pseudoscience, students need more than just facts 鈥攖hey need the tools to think critically and make informed decisions. This interactive workshop equips educators with strategies and free classroom-ready resources to help students evaluate the credibility of online information, distinguish science from pseudoscience, analyze advertising and social media claims, and build financial literacy to recognize misleading financial products and scams. By integrating media literacy, scientific reasoning, and financial education, this session empowers teachers to foster a generation of thoughtful, skeptical, and financially aware learners 鈥攔eady to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

Thursday, April 16, 2026- Economics of a Revolution: The Declaration Reexamined (Financial Literacy) Sponsored by: Suncoast CU

Would you have signed the Declaration of Independence? The American Revolution wasn鈥檛 just about freedom鈥攊t was about finances. This hands-on workshop explores the economic forces that pushed the colonies toward independence. Teachers will analyze primary sources, simulate colonial trade, and examine how taxes, tariffs, and opportunity costs fueled revolutionary thinking. Teachers will leave with ready-to-use classroom activities connecting the Declaration鈥檚 ideals to the economic realities that inspired them. Presented by your Freedom-onomistsBen Donatelli and Beverly Ledbetter.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026- AP Micro Review (High School Students/Teachers)

The USF Stavros Center is pleased to partner with HCPS to offer review sessions for students preparing to take the AP Macro and Micro exams. These sessions are FREE OF CHARGE to any high school student taking the exam in May. Teachers may also attend. Whether you're aiming for a top score or striving to solidify your grasp of complex concepts, our review sessions will provide the support you need to excel.

AP Microeconomics: Tuesday, April 21st (5:30-8:30pm): Dive deep into the fundamental
microeconomics concepts, from supply and demand to market structures and consumer
behavior. Led by Stavros Center Master Teachers Brian Ayers, Brian Wassmuth, and
Andrew Tillman. This session will offer a comprehensive overview of key topics, along
with practical tips and strategies for mastering exam questions.

Thursday, April 23, 2026- Building a Better World: Sustainability Superheroes Meet AI (Sustainability) Sponsored by: Coke Florida

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping our world 鈥� and it鈥檚 playing a powerful role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This dynamic workshop invites educators to explore how AI is being used to tackle global challenges like hunger, climate change, healthcare, and education. From smart farming and predictive water monitoring to personalized learning and sustainable urban planning, participants will discover real-world examples of AI in action. Educators will leave with classroom-ready resources and strategies to help students understand how technology can be a force for good 鈥� amplifying human potential and inspiring the next generation of changemakers.

Tuesday, April 28, 2026- AP Macro Review ( High School Students)

AP Macroeconomics: Tuesday, April 28th (5:30-8:30pm): Gear up for exam success!
This session will delve into the core principles of macroeconomics, covering topics
such as economic indicators, fiscal policy, monetary policy, international trade, and more.

Thursday, April, 30, 2026- Creativity in the Age of AI (Innovative Mindset) Sponsored by: William Gregory Foundation

May:

Tuesday, May 5, 2026- Dinner, and a Movie: Title TBD (Financial Literacy) Sponsored by: Seacoast Bank

June:

Tuesday June 16- Thursday June 18, 2026- Stavros Center Summer Institute, Sponsored by: Grow Financial

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