NASA recently awarded $10.5 million to Space Florida through its State Hubs initiative, Project ORBIT, to expand career and technical education opportunities for students and connect skilled workers with aerospace employers. Elaine Ho, associate administrator for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, visited Central Florida schools to observe the program in action.
The $10.5 million award is part of a larger $10.5 million investment across seven organizations nationwide. Space Florida’s Project ORBIT aims to increase enrollment in key career and technical programs and create a statewide portal linking skilled workers to jobs in the aerospace industry. Since launching in August 2024, the Space Florida Academy has grown from 23 to 42 participating school districts, preparing students for careers in aviation and aerospace, advanced manufacturing, construction, cybersecurity, logistics, and semiconductors.
During a recent visit, Elaine Ho toured Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida, where students demonstrated skills in aerospace engineering, robotics, building trades, and welding. She also visited Merritt Island High School and Edgewood Junior/Senior High School, observing programs in aeronautics, flight exploration, cloud computing, and robotics. Dean Cuke, Merritt Island High School AFEX astronautics and aviation flight instructor, emphasized the importance of showing students the possibilities available in the space industry. “It’s all about showing students what’s possible and then giving them the tools to achieve it,” Cuke said. “There are far more possible pathways to be part of the space industry than I think they realize. We’re showing them ways that they can attain that, through learning, through motivation and chasing after their dreams. I’m excited for them.”
Students participating in the program are already seeing benefits. Merritt Island High School juniors and student pilots Olivia Street and Troy Wallenburg shared their experiences. “It makes you feel like you’re a part of something way bigger than just a high school class. I learned what I want to do when I grow up – to be a pilot,” Street said. “My entire life, I’ve just loved space,” Wallenburg said. “It’s great knowing that I’m actually somewhat involved in it, too.” Ho expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunities available to students in the region, stating, “I’m 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.” She added, “NASA is really focused on ensuring that those opportunities are easier to reach.”
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