More than 200 learn about aviation, STEM and more through PBSC's summer youth programs

This summer, 207 students participated in Palm Beach State College’s Corporate and Continuing Education 2024 Youth Programs.

The programs included aviation camps where participants experienced real flight simulations and learned how to design, build and fly model planes and drones.

Parents/guardians were invited to attend the various camp/course events, including airplane flight tests, satellite launches to the stratosphere via high-altitude balloons, and student completion certificate award ceremonies.

Including parents/guardians in various events enabled course/camp staff to share the enthusiasm of students and professionals toward career and educational opportunities in the STEM/aerospace industry and community.

Summer in the Stratosphere camps, in partnership with NearSpace Education, were held at four PBSC campuses. Students created a mission plan, constructed a prototype payload, attached to a high-altitude research balloon and launched the balloon into the stratosphere.

The highest balloon launch flew over 90,000 feet; one flew over the Atlantic Ocean and the Bahama Islands, and another balloon launched from the Belle Glade campus and landed in the sugar cane fields.

A bonus for the Belle Glade campers was a trip to Aerojet Rocketdyne, which manufactures rockets, where they saw up close launch tests for Jeff Bezos Blue Origin New Glen Rocket.

In addition, through a partnership with Wolfpack CubeSat, 45 Title 1 kids from the Conservatory School and 45 from Pleasant City Community Center participated in youth programs that included trips to the Kennedy Space Center.

For the third year, CCE developed youth programs for nonprofits by partnering with Love, Hope & Healing for a five-week Career Exploration Summer Program and, for the first time, with Path to College for a five-week Tech Master Program.

These programs allowed participants to explore new opportunities and career paths in trades and IT, such as computer repair, surgical technology, culinary, cosmetology, and carpentry.  A few of these campers are now PBSC students.

The final summer program was basic sewing classes.

“It was wonderful to see so many children including PBSC employees’ children and grandchildren participate in our youth summer programs, and we appreciate all the positive feedback about their experiences and the impact these programs made,” said CCE Director Deborah Gordon.