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<\/a><\/figure>Elaine Ho, associate administrator for NASA\u2019s Office of STEM Engagement, joined local leaders and industry partners recently to see Space Florida Academy students in action at three Central Florida schools. Students at Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida, demonstrated their skills in aerospace engineering, robotics, building trades, welding, and more. Later, in Merritt Island, Florida, Ho and the other leaders stopped by the Aeronautics & Flight Exploration (AFEX) program and cloud computing classrooms at Merritt Island High School and the robotics lab at nearby Edgewood Junior\/Senior High School.<\/p>\n
Since its launch in August 2024, the Space Florida Academy has expanded from 23 to 42 participating school districts, preparing students for careers in aviation and aerospace, advanced manufacturing, construction, cybersecurity, logistics, and semiconductors.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\u201cIt\u2019s all about showing students what\u2019s possible and then giving them the tools to achieve it,\u201d said Dean Cuke, Merritt Island High School AFEX astronautics and aviation flight instructor. \u201cThere are far more possible pathways to be part of the space industry than I think they realize. We\u2019re showing them ways that they can attain that, through learning, through motivation and chasing after their dreams. I\u2019m excited for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Merritt Island High School juniors and student pilots Olivia Street and Troy Wallenburg have both benefited from the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes you feel like you\u2019re a part of something way bigger than just a high school class. I learned what I want to do when I grow up \u2013 to be a pilot,\u201d Street said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy entire life, I\u2019ve just loved space,\u201d Wallenburg said. \u201cIt\u2019s great knowing that I\u2019m actually somewhat involved in it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\u201cI\u2019m so impressed by how this region holds so many opportunities for our students, who are incredibly capable of solving hard problems, who can build our hardware, who want to be part of something bigger than themselves,\u201d Ho said. \u201cNASA is really focused on ensuring that those opportunities are easier to reach.\u201d<\/p>\n