University of South Florida - Sarasota-Manatee
04/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/29/2026 11:22
Fun and learning combine for the fifth annual Suncoast Remake Learning Days
Fun and learning combine for the fifth annual Suncoast Remake Learning Days
- Andrea Knies
- April 28, 2026
- Events
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee hosted free educational events for local families as part of the fifth annual Suncoast Remake Learning Days. Remake Learning Days is a international initiative that coordinates multi-day festivals of fun, hands-on activities where families learn together. Regional participation began five years ago through The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading with support from The Patterson Foundation (TPF). TPF generously funds 380 events in four counties over 15 days ensuring robust, free and accessible programming.
Suncoast Remake Learning Days provides the opportunity for our campus to engage with members of the community who may not interact with us on a regular basis. During these events, USF showcases our educational innovations and programing in fun, interactive ways while also providing a valuable learning experience for local families.
Interim Regional Chancellor Brett Kemker
Collaboratory guests explored virtual worlds
On Friday, April 24, USF's College of Education welcomed 60 community members to spark their creativity in the Collaboratory. The Collaboratory is a hub where immersive, emerging and intelligent technologies advance education through human-centered design-fostering creativity, innovation and digital mindfulness to support human flourishing in a rapidly changing world.
Attendees were invited to explore virtual worlds and rebuild reality with VR, robotics and LEGO. This STEM focused event allowed families to tackle exciting challenges and experiment with cutting-edge technologies alongside an animatronic instructor.
Over 130 people of all ages joined USF's College of Arts and Sciences for Ocean Odyssey on Sunday, April 26 on City Island. For the third year, USF collaborated with Mote Marine Laboratory on this event that gave participants the opportunity to use real scientific tools to collect samples, identify organisms, explore how birds reflect the health of the bay and create nature-inspired art. This year, the program was expanded to include a collaboration with Save Our Seabirds and free transportation from the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club.
Ocean Odyssey participants met the inhabitants of Sarasota Bay
"We are grateful for the opportunity to connect with our community through the Suncoast Remake Learning Days event," said USF Laboratory Manager Victoria Ramierz. "Our goal is to bring awareness about the importance of estuary system health and how we can make small changes to lessen our impacts."
USF also participated in an event hosted by Mote SEA and WEDU PBS and Friends titled, Wild Kratts - Our Blue & Green World. 120 participants attended this Earth Day celebration for a film screening and exploration of the Florida gulf habitat.
Through events like Suncoast Remake Learning Days, USF Sarasota-Manatee continues to advance its mission as a community-engaged university-bringing learning beyond the classroom and into the region it serves. By partnering with local organizations and opening campus spaces to families, the university strengthens pathways to discovery, creativity and lifelong learning while reinforcing its commitment to access, innovation and regional impact.
Families attended Ocean Odyssey to learn about the flora and fauna that call Sarasota Bay home
University of South Florida - Sarasota-Manatee published this content on April 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 29, 2026 at 17:22 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]