COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — June 8, 2023 — Space Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering information, education and collaboration for the global space ecosystem, today announced that students in the Junior Space Entrepreneur Program (JSEP) have utilized grant funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and L3Harris to complete and present their final project to local entrepreneurs for the spring semester.
Space Foundation’s JSEP tasked roughly 300 military-connected and underserved students in Colorado school districts with creating an innovative STEAM and entrepreneurship project to solve a space industry problem. Students built a business along with a logo, prototype and business plan. The project is designed to couple innovation and STEAM education, developing the skills needed by local educators and students to expand equity and access to underserved communities. The focus is to empower and create an agile STEAM talent pool for the next generation.
“We are incredibly proud of the hard-working students who have put in countless hours this semester to create businesses focused on solving the real-life problems facing the space industry,” said Dr. John West, Space Foundation senior vice president of the center of education and innovation. “Through JSEP, students were able to experience high-quality STEAM and entrepreneurial education that is sometimes difficult to access in school districts. With the help of sponsors like the U.S. Department of Defense, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and L3Harris, we were able to remove many barriers for these students to thrive and explore a potential career in the space ecosystem.”
As the demand for talent increases in the broadening space industry, so too does the need for students with the necessary skill set to support the workforce. The future scientists, engineers and artists among the nation’s younger population need every opportunity available to them to build the advanced, space-faring nation of tomorrow. JSEP intends to provide these opportunities at every turn.
Participants
School districts interested in participating in the JSEP program may visit discoverspace.org/education/jsep.
About Junior Space Entrepreneur Program (JSEP)
Junior Space Entrepreneur Program (JSEP), launched in 2020 as an initiative of Space Foundation’s Center for Innovation and Education, guides students through a Mars mission encompassing all the challenges that come with sending astronauts to our neighboring planet and returning them safely to Earth. Participants will use newly gained knowledge of Mars and space commerce skills to develop their own industry business. Funding has been provided by Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, Northrop Grumman, and a National Defense Education Program grant from the Department of Defense. To learn more about JSEP, visit www.discoverspace.org/education/jsep.
About Center for Innovation and Education
Center for Innovation and Education is a lifelong learning provider for the global space ecosystem, offering workforce development and economic opportunity via Space Commerce Institute and Space Foundation Discovery Center. Serving pre-K-12 and university students, teachers, entrepreneurs, businesses and professionals, programs and resources are delivered in person or online around the globe. Through its Workforce Development Roadmap of programs and resources, Center for Innovation and Education enhances the outlook and opportunities for careers, jobs and business ventures. To learn more about Center for Innovation and Education, visit www.spacefoundation.org/cie, and Space Foundation Discovery Center, visit www.discoverspace.org.
About Space Foundation
Space Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 1983, offering information, education and collaboration for the global space ecosystem. Driven by partnerships, Space Foundation unites the entire spectrum of stakeholders — business, government, education and local communities — through support from corporate members, sponsors, fundraising and grants. Visit Space Foundation at www.SpaceFoundation.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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