Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Aerospace Education Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Highlands County aerospace program seeks applicants; 50 seats available, applications open through April 15
Summary
District leaders and teachers highlighted the countywide aerospace program — five pathways, internships and industry partnerships — and urged students to apply by April 15. The program reported 63 submitted applications and more than 90 students showing interest.
The Highlands County School District's aerospace program — which runs five career pathways and partners with local businesses and volunteers — is accepting applications through April 15 and has 50 seats available for the coming year, program lead teacher Michael Halpern told the school board.
"Applications are open till April 15. We have 50 spots available," said Michael Halpern, the lead teacher at the Highlands County aerospace program and a Lake Placid High School instructor. He said the program already had received 63 formal applications and more than 90 students had expressed interest by joining the program's Google Classroom.
Halpern described five pathways: engineering (CAD and 3‑D printing), pilot (ground school toward the private pilot knowledge test), airframe (students build full‑size aircraft), power plant (engine disassembly and rebuilding) and an unmanned aerial systems/drone pathway. "We have our pilot pathway where students are taking ground school instruction," he said. "We have our airframe pathway where students are building full size aircraft." He noted the program has produced multiple airframes during its six years.
Students and program participants described hands‑on learning. Jesse Howerton, an 11th grader in the drone pathway, said he had already earned a UAS safety certification and expected to complete his commercial drone certification soon. "I'm going to earn my commercial drone," Jesse said. Student Peyton Pervat, a 10th grader in the pilot pathway, said, "My future goals are to become a commercial pilot."
Halpern said the program operates out of the Aviation Development Center under an agreement with EAA Chapter 1240 and the district leases an additional portable classroom for engineering instruction. He said the program is staffed by three district employees (the teachers of record) and six full‑time volunteers — retired airline captains and mechanics — that together create a staff of nine. He highlighted an engine provided by Lockwood Aviation that students disassemble and reassemble; Halpern described that Rotax engine as a valuable hands‑on learning tool.
The program runs Monday and Wednesday mornings; students must meet a 2.5 GPA threshold, maintain good attendance and avoid discipline issues, Halpern said. Students must be ninth through 12th graders in the county and may be bused from their home schools for program time. Halpern said admitted students will be notified by the last week of the school year.
Board members and attendees praised the program's industry connections, internship pipeline and career outcomes. The district encouraged eligible students to apply before the April 15 deadline.
