Science Center of Pinellas

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Security Camera Donation

Raytheon, SiteSecure help Science Center beef up security after fires

By Waveney Ann Moore, Times Staff Writer
Sept 18, 2010

ST. PETERSBURG — Two companies have stepped in to help the Science Center beef up security after its property was damaged by three fires in six months.

Work on a new outdoor security system was completed last week. Raytheon, a neighbor of the Science Center at 7701 22nd Ave. N, and SiteSecure, a Central Florida company with offices in Tampa, donated equipment and labor for the exterior system.

Two of the three fires, which came in October and April, were arson, said Lt. Joel Granata of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.

"The third one we suspect is arson, but we haven't been able to make a positive determination,'' he said.

"The cameras are going to be a huge deterrent.''

 Pam Bittaker, project manager at the Science Center, said Raytheon employees helped clean up the property and repair damaged fences after the fires. The corporation then announced it would donate security videocameras and recording equipment to the facility, which is used by schoolchildren and the public. The equipment cost about $7,000, said Raytheon spokesman Jack Radgowski.

Additional equipment and labor worth about $5,000 were donated by SiteSecure. The firm got involved after learning about the Science Center's problems from Raytheon, which is one of its clients, said Craig Bowman, division manager for SiteSecure.

 "We couldn't be more pleased about this donation to help keep our perimeter and our premises secure,'' said Science Center executive director Joe Cuenco.

The first fire occurred in late October and badly damaged one of two outdoor huts in a replica of a 16th century Indian village. The second fire, in April, destroyed another hut. Total damage to the two structures was $15,000. Bittaker said the center, which depends on foundation and corporate support, has not been able to rebuild the huts, which were uninsured.

The third fire occurred in an area that was being used by the homeless and contained yard debris, beer cans, lawn chairs and clothing.

Granata said there are no suspects in the fires.

Waveney Ann Moore can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (727) 892-2283
article link http://www.tampabay.com/news/science/raytheon-sitesecure-help-science-center-beef-up-security-after-fires/1109377

 

Newsflash

Florida MEP 2012 Training Schedule

Principles of Lean Manufacturing

and many more to come, visit:

http://www.floridamep.org/events.html
 

 

Middle and High School Students Don't  Miss This!

An exciting opportunity for middle and high school students is coming to the Science & Technology Education Innovation Center (Science Center). Together with its partners, the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Florida MEP) and John Ratzenberger’s to introduce "cool manufacturing" to over 1,000 students in the Pinellas region.

Students will be introduced to an innovative production system called “Lean Manufacturing.” The Florida MEP will host this half-day event in a fast-paced, action-packed role-playing environment in which students will become “employees” of a “company” that manufactures clocks. The process starts in total chaos with students scrambling to get clocks made; it ends in organized functions that let students produce hundreds of clocks, running the company on their own. The students take away:

  • Knowledge of how the products they use every day are produced
  • An understanding of the importance of standardized work
  • An ability to accurately read instructions and work in a timely manner
  • An awareness of the processes that impact their daily lives
  • The skills to set measureable goals and action plans for school projects
  • More options to apply when the time comes to choose a career

 Register will soon be open please check back for details. 
 

The Science Center is looking for additional members to join our Volunteer Group.  If your passionate about education, we want YOU!  Volunteer opportunities include: Community Liaison, Workshop Assistance, Fundraising, Family Events and Much More. Please contact Shelly at 727.384.0027 ext for more information. 
 

Thank you Dr. Amy Anderson for all your support and creating beautiful smiles for our community
www.smilesbyamy.com
 

New Web Site

New Science Center Website on the Way!

Let us know what you would like to see. This is your chance to have some input. Please tell us what you love about the science center and what you would like to see more of.

Thank you for your time.