SKY-CARE Internship Program at Embry-Riddle Empowers Florida High School Students with STEM Experience
Seventeen high school students from across Volusia County, Florida, made history this summer as the inaugural cohort of the SKY-CARE Internship Program, an intensive eight-week immersion in the world of aviation and aerospace research and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) innovation.
Hosted at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Research Park, in partnership with local high schools, the program is part of the ambitious $1 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) Grant, designed to broaden the STEM workforce pipeline and inspire the next generation of innovators.
The seventeen students who took part in the inaugural SKY-CARE Internship Program had the opportunity to test Embry-Riddle’s virtual reality flight simulators. (Photo: Embry-Riddle)
Through the months of June and July, participants engaged in hands-on aerospace research and professional development, gaining critical skills to pursue future careers in STEM-related fields. The SKY-CARE Internship offered students a unique blend of academic seminars, laboratory experiences and field visits, all under the guidance of expert mentors and university faculty.
Said Director of Research Park Operations Ronnie Mack, “As we look toward the evolving landscape of workforce development, particularly in aviation and aerospace, it’s critical that we actively invest in next-generation talent from our own community. By engaging local high school students in immersive, real-world experiences, we not only nurture their growth and aspirations, but also strengthen the future workforce pipeline that will drive innovation and prosperity in our region.”
Throughout the program, students attended a series of professional development seminars designed to prepare them for academic and career success. Topics included the effective use of library resources, college application strategies, resume and cover letter writing, headshots and personal branding, securing internships and co-ops, delivering impactful presentations and mastering the art of giving and receiving feedback.
Students also had the opportunity to track sunspots in astronomy labs, explore the frontiers of flight with virtual reality training, and get hands-on practice in uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) laboratories. Field trips to Kennedy Space Center and the Piper Aircraft Factory gave students a glimpse into aviation and aerospace career options on the Space Coast.
“As a career and technical education specialist, I’ve seen firsthand how these experiential components truly transform our students, making them excited about learning and pursuing a meaningful career in aviation and aerospace, right here at home,” said Litsa Taylor, CTE specialist for Volusia County Schools. “These are the kinds of opportunities that ignite curiosity and inspire long-term engagement in STEM.”
The SKY-CARE program also hosted a research symposium, where students showcased their projects to representatives from Volusia County Schools, faculty from Embry-Riddle and community members. Topics on display ranged from advanced urban mobility solutions for Daytona Beach and the growing challenge of space debris to nanotechnology innovations for carbon fiber materials
Awards were presented to the top projects, with first place going to Reagan Dispennette for her project titled “Mxene Synthesis and Integration for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.” Second place was awarded to Brandon Prez-Campbell for his work on “Nano-Modification of Carbon Fiber with Hydrothermally Grown Metal Oxides for Multi-application Purposes.” Elimir Cosme and Ranveer Verma took third for their project, “Unmasking the Skies.”
Dispennette said that she appreciated the opportunity to perform real research while gaining new insight into the aerospace and aviation fields through hands-on experiences like flight simulations and visits to the Kennedy Space Center and Piper Factory. “Through college readiness seminars and the mentorship program, I was able to build strong connections and prepare for a future in STEM,” she said. “I was honored to receive first place in our poster symposium. A special thank you to my mentor, Madison Hardiman, for her incredible guidance. Thank you to my professors, mentors, peers and the entire SKY-CARE team for making this a great experience.”
The success of the SKY-CARE Internship was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the campus community and local partners. Key contributors included Volusia County Schools, Embry-Riddle’s colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Aviation and the Office of Sponsored Research and Administration, as well as a host of other university staff, partners and supporters.
As the SKY-CARE Internship looks to the future, program organizers are excited to build on this year’s achievements and offer even more students the chance to reach new heights in STEM.