St. Petersburg Housing Authority Introducing Youth to 3D Modeling
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (APRIL 3, 2026) - The St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) is hosting an event that will introduce SPHA youth to 3D modeling.
3D Modeling Workshop:
- Date: Wednesday, April 8, 2026
- Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
- Location: President Barack Obama Main Library (3745 9th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713)
SPHA youth will have the opportunity to explore 3D modeling through a guided Tinkercad workshop. Students will leave with a 3D-printed fidget toy and exposure to a free computer-aided design (CAD) software they can use at home.
Tinkercad is a free, online 3D modeling program that runs in a web browser. It is widely used in schools and beginner maker communities because its simple interface allows users with little or no prior experience to learn basic 3D modeling concepts.
The workshop is intended for SPHA youth ages 10 - 15, accompanied by a parent, guardian, or caregiver. For more information, please call 727-892-5296.
Registration is required: https://splibraries.libcal.com/event/16600651
The 3D Modeling Workshop is part of SPHA's Gulf Futures 3D initiative, a grant-funded STEM program focused on building scientific and environmental literacy among youth in grades K-8 in SPHA communities. The program places special emphasis on local issues such as long-term health, environmental sustainability, and community resilience in Gulf Coast regions.
The mission of SPHA's Gulf Futures 3D initiative is to empower students through a dynamic blend of classroom learning and place-based experiences that spark curiosity and creativity using emerging 3D technologies.
The Gulf Futures 3D initiative is funded by a $740,860 grant from the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
"At SPHA, we are committed to creating opportunities that go beyond housing. Our Gulf Futures 3D program highlights our dedication to empowering the next generation through innovation, education, and community engagement," said Michael Lundy, SPHA President and CEO. "We're excited about the opportunities this initiative is bringing to our SPHA youth."
"Our 3D Modeling Workshop gives our youth a chance to see themselves as future engineers," said Kiara Lovett, SPHA's Director of Social Services. "By connecting creativity with technology, we're helping them build confidence, explore new career paths, and realize that their ideas can truly make a difference in their community."
Projects for the Gulf Futures 3D initiative are being guided by SPHA's partners, including The Sanderlin Center, SelfCAD, St. Petersburg College (SPC), and Tampa Bay Watch. Youth are applying STEM skills to community-driven projects, pinpointing local environmental challenges and designing innovative 3D solutions.
The National Academies' Gulf Research Program (GRP) is an independent, science-based program founded in 2013 as part of legal settlements with the companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. The GRP's mission is to develop, translate, and apply science to enhance the safety of offshore energy, the environment, and the well-being of the people of the Gulf region for generations to come. It supports innovative science, guides data design and monitoring, and builds and sustains networks to generate long-term benefits for the Gulf region and the nation.
SPHA is the leading affordable housing provider in the city of St. Petersburg, serving more than 4,000 low-income households. SPHA's mission is to provide safe, sanitary, accessible, decent, and affordable housing to eligible citizens of the city of St. Petersburg, while enhancing and promoting resident self-sufficiency.
For more information about the Gulf Futures 3D initiative, contact: [email protected]
Exterior of the President Barack Obama Main Library in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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ABOUT THE ST. PETERSBURG HOUSING AUTHORITY (SPHA):
An independent quasi-governmental entity and a political subdivision of the State of Florida, operating under Chapter 421 Florida Statutes, SPHA is the local administrative agency for housing assistance programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). SPHA offers a variety of programs and services that provide affordable rental housing to low-income families, seniors, veterans, and the disabled in the greater St. Petersburg region. For more information, visit www.stpeteha.org.
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