Expert panel explores phosphate mining and its impacts
September 10, 2025
A panel discussion at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Sept. 8, examined the history, benefits and future of phosphate mining.
A panel discussion at Florida Polytechnic University on Monday, Sept. 8, examined the history, benefits and future of phosphate mining.
Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell
Fueled by a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, innovative research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to redefine the way professors approach engineering design education. Dr. Elisabeth Kames, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a $200,000 grant to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will employ neurocognitive tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), as well as
Undergraduate discovery sparks nationwide scientific attention Florida Polytechnic University senior Anthony Fiorito has captured national attention in the scientific community with groundbreaking research revealing that peacock feathers can emit precise laser light. Fiorito, an engineering physics major, is the first author of a study that has been spotlighted by leading publications including Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The
Connection, communication and advocacy are Colby Manrodt’s top goals as the new president of Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Government Association. “I think our University is in a period of transitioning and going through a lot of change, so we are going to focus this year on bringing better forms of communication to our student body,” said Manrodt, a senior majoring
Florida Polytechnic University welcomed the new academic year on Monday, Aug. 18 with a record-breaking total enrollment of more than 1,900 students, marking a more than 10% increase over last year’s historic enrollment and the second consecutive year of growth. “This remarkable enrollment underscores the growing recognition of Florida Poly’s value in preparing students for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr.
LAKELAND, Fla. (September 9, 2015) – Florida Polytechnic University President Dr. Randy K. Avent has appointed 16 outstanding Inaugural Class students to serve as Presidential Ambassadors for the 2015-16 school year. Presidential Ambassadors will represent the President and Florida Poly as formal hosts at designated University events, promote the successes and vision of the University, and will work to create
Join Florida Poly professors and industry experts as we discuss the rise of machines at our next installment of #STEMTalks, a Google+ Hangout. The live, virtual event is scheduled for Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at 7 p.m. This event will be the second hangout in a four-part series focused on robotics, specifically, the future of autonomous vehicles. Here are the
More than 500 new freshmen, transfer and graduate students will join Florida Poly this fall, nearly doubling the University’s student population over its inaugural academic year. The incoming class has an average GPA of 3.9, an average ACT score of 26 and an average SAT score of 1775. “I continue to be very impressed with the caliber of students deciding
Florida Polytechnic University welcomed students to Orientation Week on Wednesday Aug. 19, a series of social and academic activities that will lead up to the start of the 2015-16 school year on Monday, Aug. 24. Orientation Week is designed to introduce first-time students to staff and faculty, fellow classmates and campus life. Activities include a presentation by President Dr. Randy
Florida Polytechnic University will host #STEMTalks: Hackers and Cyber Security in the 21st Century on Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 7 p.m. The online event is the first installment in a four-part virtual Google+ Hangout series that explores the future of high technology and the vital role of a core education in science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM). Each month this fall, #STEMTalks
Florida Polytechnic University will launch the fall Google+ Hangout series, #STEMTalks, starting Aug. 20 at 7pm. Join us for the first virtual event in the series – “Hackers & Cyber Security in the 21st Century.” Our panel will discuss the latest online security threats and how cyber security experts are stopping them. The rest of our 2015 #STEMTalks series will
Florida Polytechnic University student Chris Westphalen has been awarded the 2015 Berna Lou Cartwright Scholarship from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Chris, who majors in Mechanical and Industrial Engineering with a concentration in Multifunctional Materials, is a founder of the student chapter of ASME at Florida Poly. The Berna Lou Cartwright Scholarship is valued at $3,000. Criteria for
The Florida Polytechnic University Foundation has received a $1 million challenge match contribution from an anonymous donor. The contribution will support student scholarships and the University’s mission. Through the (BePivotal)2 challenge, the anonymous donor is encouraging Florida Poly supporters to contribute to the University Foundation by leveraging this opportunity to effectively double their donations. The donor will match up to $1
LAKELAND, Fla. (June 11, 2015) – The second annual Drive For Men’s Health rolled out of South Lake Hospital in Clermont, Fla. today to begin a 6,000 mile, coast-to-coast journey in an all-electric Tesla Model S. Co-founded by Florida Polytechnic University Foundation Board member Dr. Sijo Parekattil and Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, the Drive For Men’s Health is a charitable road trip designed
The Innovation, Science & Technology Building at Florida Polytechnic University has been honored with the 2015 International Architectural Award, the world’s most prestigious building award for innovative designs. Florida Poly’s iconic oval structure was designed by Spanish architect Dr. Santiago Calatrava and is distinguished by a white steel pergola that rings the building and a moveable roof with louvers that
Fourteen local high school students proudly demonstrated their robotic inventions and poster projects Friday evening during the third annual graduation ceremony of the Medical Engineering and Robotics Innovation for Tomorrow (MERIT) summer program at Florida Polytechnic University. MERIT offers local high school students an intensive, hands-on learning experience in health informatics, nanotechnology, renewable energy, surgical robotics and other high-demand industries
Students have plenty of engineering degree programs from which to choose when applying to college as undergrads or considering a post-graduate degree. Students choosing an engineering degree program should consider several factors to figure out the right fit for them. They include: Degree programs and concentrations Internship opportunities Faculty experience in the classroom and in industry Campus life Industry connections
