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Teacher Quest addresses the critical needs of Florida teachers by offering professional development in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through real-world work experiences. These experiences help teachers grow professionally and encourage student interest in STEM fields at all grade levels. Teacher Quest also creates opportunities for business and industry to support education and impact the workforce of the future. The TRDA joined forces with the Florida Department of Education in 1997 to implement the Teacher Quest program.

Teacher Quest is a multi-week, paid summer-based professional development program where teachers work at select science- and technology-based businesses. During those weeks, teachers gain industry knowledge that they take back to the classroom, and infuse into curriculum to give their students an out-of-this-world academic experience!

In October of 2008, the Helios Education Foundation made an investment in TRDA to manage a 3-year Teacher Quest Tampa Bay Pilot Program for educators for secondary teachers working in the Tampa Bay Area.   The program will provide a vital link between school and work, where teachers will serve as a conduit for students, connecting the math and science they learn in the classroom to the skills they will need in the workforce, as well as exposing them to career pathways and workplace expectations.  Teachers will receive training to develop lessons that make math, science and technology more exciting and relevant for students.

  For more information, contact  Diane Matthews or call toll-free (866) 263-9564 x106. 

 “My work experience this summer with robotics has given me the opportunity to challenge myself as a teacher with respect to developing large units of study. I walk away with the knowledge that incorporating technology in the classroom is not only exciting and motivational, but it provides the students with much needed hands-on experience that will help them become more marketable in the future as they enter an increasingly high-tech work force." ~Allan Dyer, a teacher at Dowdell Middle Magnet

"Providing teachers with real-world work experiences is a long-term investment in our workforce of the future.  Our labor pool is dwindling...fewer people see manufacturing as an interesting career and, as a result, there are fewer people with manufacturing experience for us to draw from.  If a teacher can bring back knowledge of modern manufacturing technology and create an interest in students, hopefully, their interest will bring them through our doors." ~Paul Beyers, engineer at Sun Hydraulics Corporation, Sarasota, FL

Teacher Quest is successful each year thanks to its many program partners. The following program partners are supporting Teacher Quest 2010:

• Alliant Tech Systems (ATK)
• Coastal Caisson Corporation
• Custom Manufacturing and Engineering, Inc.
• Engraving Systems Support
• Florida Advanced Technological Education Center
• H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute
• HSA Engineers & Scientists
• Lakeland Electric
• Nielson Company
• Ocean Optics
• Propeller Club
• Raytheon Network Centric Systems
• Sun Hydraulics Corporation