National Science Foundation Awards Florida Tech $1 Million for Program to Educate Foster Youth

STEM-Centered Initiative Focuses on High-Demand Skills in Advanced Manufacturing, Microelectronics

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Dozens of young people who are aging out of foster care will be taught critical skills in advanced manufacturing and microelectronics and equipped to succeed in high-demand technical fields under a powerful new initiative at Florida Tech and its Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Innovating Design.

The program, “Explorations: Advanced Manufacturing and Microelectronics to Empower Youth Aging out of Foster Care,” was awarded nearly $1 million in July from the National Science Foundation. It will begin in 2025 and run through 2027.

Over those three years, 25 participants each summer between the ages of 13 and 21 will engage in hands-on learning experiences, including workshops, mentorship programs and career-planning sessions – activities designed to develop hard and soft skills to prepare them for employment or further education in STEM fields.

Most participants are expected to come from Brevard County but the program is also open to young adults from Orange County, Osceola County and Seminole County.

Anyone interested must apply through an application distributed through Family Partnership, a Rockledge-based non-profit providing child abuse prevention, foster care and support, adoption, independent living and community outreach services to local children and families.

“This initiative is important because it provides access to educational experiences, role models and success stories that can inspire this underrepresented group to pursue careers in STEM fields,” said Marifer Sagastume, co-principal investigator for the NSF project and the community manager at CAMID.

CAMID Director Juan Avendano, Ph.D., will oversee the program as principal investigator.

Participants will be grouped into small cohorts to create a supportive learning environment, working together on projects, and participating in team-building exercises. They will also receive stipends, transportation, food and necessary supplies to ensure full participation.

The initiative aims to bridge educational gaps and provide access to advanced opportunities in STEM. Participants will develop technical skills (such as soldering and electronics assembly) and soft skills (like teamwork and communication).

The program also fosters a sense of community through collaborative projects and mentorship, helping to mitigate isolation and promote social well-being.

The initiative stands to impact regional and national welfare by preparing a vulnerable demographic for substantive roles in the tech-driven economy.

The effort will also foster diversity in STEM fields, aligning with national interests in building a competent, diverse workforce that mirrors the broader society.

By the end of the program, participants should have the skills necessary to hold roles in advanced manufacturing and microelectronics, with jobs such as machinists, welders, manufacturing technicians, robotics technicians, microelectronics technicians, PCB assemblers or engineers.

The program is an exploratory process that provides participants with exposure to different jobs and projects to help them decide a career path.

Organizations such as Larsen Motorsports, Solar Transport Systems and Groundswell Startups are partnering with the project to give participants a chance to gain hands-on learning experiences and internships.

CAMID’s labs are equipped with advanced manufacturing tools, including the EOS M290 Metal 3D Printer and the nScrypt Machine, thanks to the state of Florida-funded Biomedical Aerospace Manufacturing (BAM) project.

The state-of-the-art machines enable rapid prototyping and production of components for aerospace, defense and electronics.

“This impactful program our CAMID team developed will equip young participants with a growth mindset and marketable skills that we believe position them to achieve long-term economic stability and success,” Florida Tech President John Nicklow said.

“Education at its best is about sharing knowledge and inspiring excellence and we are so excited to do that for those who will truly benefit.”

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