TAMPA — More than 80 high school students explored science and entrepreneurship last week at a free, hands-on summer camp hosted by biotech pioneer Amgen in collaboration with the 91ÉçÇř’s Nault Center for Entrepreneurship.
The four-day STEM Entrepreneurship Camp gave students from all backgrounds the chance to ideate, build business plans and pitch their ideas to industry professionals. Campers also heard from keynote speaker Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy, who encouraged them to think boldly and creatively about their future.
The program helped participants develop professional skills such as marketing, budgeting, teamwork and public speaking. It also introduced them to the entrepreneurial mindset — encouraging problem-solving, creativity and resilience.
Darcel Schouler
“This camp is a powerful example of what can happen when industry and education join forces,” said Darcel Schouler, senior manager of corporate affairs at Amgen and a USF alumna. “Together with USF, we’re creating access and opportunity for Tampa’s high school students to explore STEM through real-world entrepreneurship.”
One team, mentored by Amgen employee Moya Watts, focused its project on mental health awareness. The students impressed their mentor not only with their collaboration but also with their independence.
“They talked among themselves, worked very well together as a team,” Watts said. “It was just those extra things that they needed help with. I’ve just been impressed with how intelligent they are.”
She said the experience shifted her perspective as both a professional and a parent.
“Their project made me reflect on my own child and how I check in with him. I’m realizing I need to step back a bit and trust that he knows more than I sometimes give him credit for.”
From left, Sakhiya, Manor, Watts, Clay and Austin
The student team said the experience gave them a newfound sense of confidence and creativity.
“I learned that I have potential as an entrepreneur that I didn’t realize I had before,” said Khloe Clay. “It feels like anything is possible.”
Fellow teammate Huston Manor said the most exciting part was “getting to be creative and making something to present to judges — and the risk of presenting it well.”
Emoni Austin credited the group’s dynamic: “If it wasn’t for the teamwork, none of this would’ve been possible.”
Kirtan Sakhiya said the experience offered lessons that will carry forward.
“You can benefit from learning how to start a business, how to get a startup running or how to be more productive in the future,” he said.
The Nault Center provided USF student mentors and faculty judges for the program, which culminated in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition, with cash prizes and trophies awarded to the top teams. Each day, the camp focused on startup milestones, from ideation to planning and resource management, and wrapped with peer and mentor feedback.
To complement the hands-on learning, campers also heard directly from those who have turned their ideas into real-world ventures.
Mirzakhalov and Mara
Students heard from a panel of entrepreneurs working in STEM fields with a focus on artificial intelligence, including two USF alumni who returned to share their journeys. Jamshidbek Mirzakhalov and Axhens Mara co-founded Studyspaces, an AI-enabled edtech startup. The pair spoke about the challenges of building a company from the ground up and encouraged students to take initiative early.
“Start before you’re ready,” Mara told the group. “The rest comes after.”
That message resonated with current USF students as well, some of whom took on leadership roles throughout the week.
Mentor Nicholas Eisengrein, a business management major expected to graduate in 2026 and founder of the advertising agency 9yaps, said the experience gave him a deeper appreciation for the impact of peer mentorship.
Eisengrein
“Mentoring a student is like planting a seed,” Eisengrein said. “Mentorship grows beyond the classroom — it shapes how students think, act and make decisions in the real world, ultimately creating a ripple effect that strengthens the entire community.”
Since its launch in 2019 with just 10 participants, the camp has grown significantly and now runs concurrently at Amgen’s headquarters in Thousand Oaks, California. In Tampa, Amgen collaborates with Hillsborough County Public Schools and local nonprofits such as Junior Achievement, Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Skills Center to ensure broad access.
Amgen’s Tampa Capability Center serves as a national hub for innovation and business solutions. Through programs like this camp, it supports a more diverse and prepared future workforce while giving back to the community.