City awards $750K to launch ‘Genius Lab’ in South St. Pete
- Mark Parker
- May 26
- 4 min read
St. Petersburg has made a $750,000 investment in its youth after selecting a local nonprofit to design and deliver a new hands-on afterschool experience - the Genius Lab.
City council members approved a three-year contract with STEM Xposure Inc. on May 14. They did so without discussion or a presentation, as the item was part of the consent agenda.
Documents note that St. Petersburg-based STEM Xposure emerged from a competitive proposal process with six other applicants. The organization will now create a program that enhances academic achievement, fosters personal development, supports career exploration, and builds creative problem-solving skills for students in grades 6 through 12.
Mayor Ken Welch celebrated the “major investment” to “expand STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education and enrichment opportunities for local students” in a subsequent social media post. The Enoch D. Davis Center at 1111 18th Ave. S. will house the Genius Lab.
The city’s request for proposals (RFP), released on Feb. 17, noted that the selected vendor will “create a learning environment that strengthens students’ confidence, supports their overall wellbeing, and expands their opportunities through innovative STEM activities, leadership development, financial empowerment, and exercises in mindfulness, to include reflective practices.”
“As a service provider, the vendor must demonstrate experience in youth academic enrichment, experiential learning, and student-centered instructional approaches,” the RFP continued.
STEM Xposure’s mailing address is a P.O. Box in Gibsonton, according to its website. However, the nonprofit’s physical address is 2235 22nd St. S. in South St. Petersburg.
The organization’s mission is to empower students, “particularly girls aged 10-17, by providing access to underrepresented careers in STEM,” states the website. “We strive to inspire curiosity, foster innovation, and promote inclusivity, ensuring every student has the chance to explore their potential.”
STEM Xposure, which also touts its hands-on construction projects and global learning experiences, has directly impacted 17,386 students throughout Tampa Bay since it launched in 2018. The nonprofit, led by founder and CEO Robyn Donaldson, facilitates camps in 10 countries, and 14 program participants are currently pursuing an architecture degree in Africa at the University of Nairobi.
Local stakeholders did not unanimously celebrate Welch’s announcement. Several community members, in comments and other social media posts, advocated for the inclusion of Rafael Robinson, founder of the Achieving Engineering Driven Innovation (AEDI) Foundation.
Robinson, in a reply, wrote that he will “truly celebrate every child who will benefit” from the Genius Lab. He would also “be lying if I said my heart wasn’t heavy.”
“For years, AEDI Foundation has poured into this community through STEM Saturday and hands-on opportunities designed to reach students who may otherwise be overlooked,” Robinson wrote. “So, not even being considered to share our work is disappointing. This isn’t about competition - it’s about making sure every organization committed to serving our children has a seat at the table.”
However, AEDI did not submit a proposal, due on March 26. Applicants included Byrne Ocean Conservation, Discover Science 4 Kids, FutureInnoX, Senior Compucare Southeast, SpeakEasy MEDIA Foundation, and The Beat Music Academy, according to city documents.
City evaluators included Dr. Sheron Brown, director of education and youth opportunities; Amanda Kubisiak, administrative coordinator; and Jess Reidel, special projects manager. The trio scored proposals on the following weighted criteria: Experience and qualifications, project approach, a detailed budget, and business enterprise program outreach and utilization.
Transportation services are also a key component of the Genius Lab. The RFP stated that a selected vendor must pick up Genius Lab participants from schools or their homes, and transport them to the Enoch Davis Center, workshops, events, and “city-related programs.”
Most pickup locations are at South Pinellas County middle and high schools, according to the RFP. A city official wrote that operators should ensure “equitable access, with consideration to the schools within the proximity to Enoch Davis Center,” in response to a vendor question.
Stem Xposure received a score of 67.83, followed by SpeakEasy MEDIA with a 58.17. “The proposals were evaluated based on the criteria set forth in the RFP, and the evaluation committee determined that it is in the city’s best interest to enter into an agreement with Stem Xposure for the Genius Lab Afterschool Program,” states a contract resolution.
The city expects to fully launch the initiative within 60 days of executing a contract. Stem Xposure will have two one-year renewal options after the initial three-year term.
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