Citrus County Schools Explores Aerospace Opportunities at Space Florida’s Launch Pad Summit

In the rapidly evolving landscape of education and technology, Citrus County Schools is taking bold steps to prepare students for the future. Dr. Holli Herndon, Citrus County Schools Career and Technical Education Specialist, and I recently had the privilege of attending an exclusive event hosted by Space Florida in collaboration with the North Florida Economic Development Partnership. The Launch Pad Summit provided a deep dive into the groundbreaking initiatives led by Space Florida and its Space Florida Academy, showcasing how these resources are shaping Florida’s future workforce. This event brought together key leaders, including legislators, economic development organizations, school board members, superintendents, higher education institutions, and technical colleges, to explore the intersection of space, innovation, and workforce development.

One of the key highlights of the event was a presentation by Mike Miller, Space Florida’s Vice President of External Affairs and Workforce Integration. He shared details about the Space Florida Space Academy, a program developed in collaboration with aerospace industry leaders, the National Space Council, the Florida Department of Education, the Florida Department of Commerce, and the Governor’s REACH Office (Reimagining Education and Career Help). The academy focuses on enhancing education programs in six target fields crucial to current and future industry demands: Aviation/Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Cybersecurity/IT, Logistics, and Semiconductors.

We were also thrilled to have astronaut Jerry Linenger make a surprise appearance at the event. Linenger, a former NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Navy officer, spent five months aboard the Russian space station Mir, playing a key role in groundbreaking scientific experiments. During his remarks, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the manufacturers and workers whose dedication ensured his safety during his missions in space. His inspiring presence highlighted the importance of teamwork and innovation in making space exploration possible, providing invaluable insight into the critical role of collaboration in the aerospace field.

Citrus County Schools’ engagement with space and technology education is not a recent development but a deliberate, ongoing strategy to provide students with opportunities in the aerospace and space industries. Approximately three years ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the Astronauts Memorial Foundation Center for Space Education at the Kennedy Space Center during the launch of the Mission One STEAM initiative. This collaborative effort, involving various aerospace and community partners, aims to inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).

Building on these efforts, last school year, Citrus County Schools, with the support of the Citrus County Education Foundation, brought more than 80 high school juniors and seniors to the AMF Center for Space Education for a College and Career Readiness Event at the Kennedy Space Center. This event provided students with invaluable exposure to career pathways in aerospace and related fields.

In January, Superintendent Dr. Scott Hebert sent a small Career and Technical Education (CTE) delegation—including Assistant Superintendent Jen Greco, Director of CTE Debra Stanley, Dr. Holli Herndon, and me—to tour Eau Gallie High School’s Aviation Fabrication and Assembly Technician (AF/AT) Program. Under the instruction of Mr. William McInnish, this highly respected and successful program offers a sequence of courses, including Aviation Assembly Technician 1-3. The curriculum aligns with Florida state standards, emphasizing skills in high demand by aerospace leaders such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon/Collins Aerospace, and SpaceX. The program boasts nearly a 100% placement rate for students into jobs, college, or military service, demonstrating the potential for Citrus County Schools to implement similar programs that provide students with direct career opportunities.

The Space Florida Launch Pad Summit reinforced the importance of strategic partnerships and investments in education to ensure Florida remains a leader in aerospace and technology. Established in 2006, Space Florida is the state’s aerospace economic development agency, dedicated to positioning Florida as a global leader in the space industry. Through public-private partnerships and strategic investments, Space Florida supports commercial spaceflight, satellite production, space tourism, and other aerospace initiatives. The organization fosters business growth, infrastructure development, research, and workforce expansion, all of which contribute to the state’s thriving space and aerospace ecosystem.

These efforts align closely with the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program that Citrus County Schools was awarded last year to expand our high school welding and machinist programs. This initiative aims to enhance workforce development throughout Florida by offering students hands-on educational experiences in various high-demand fields, including aerospace, biomedical science, and aviation.

Citrus County Schools, under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Hebert and with the support of the School Board, continues to advance strategic educational offerings that prepare students for higher education, military service, and workforce opportunities. Through these initiatives and partnerships with industry leaders, Citrus County Schools is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and experiences needed to succeed in Florida’s growing aerospace sector.

The Launch Pad Summit was an invaluable experience, reinforcing our district’s commitment to preparing students for the careers of tomorrow. As we continue to explore innovative educational opportunities, Citrus County Schools remains dedicated to fostering student success and economic growth by aligning our programs with industry needs. The future of Florida’s space and aerospace industries is bright, and we are excited to be part of shaping the next generation of professionals in these critical fields.

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