NASA recently awarded $10.5 million to seven organizations nationwide through its new State Hubs initiative. Space Florida was selected for Project ORBIT, which aims to expand opportunities for middle and high school students, boost enrollment in key career and technical programs, and create a statewide portal connecting skilled workers with aerospace employers.
Elaine Ho, right, associate administrator for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, discusses training software with a student at Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida on on Aug. 27, 2026.
Credit: NASA/Clayton Rougelot
Elaine Ho, associate administrator for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement, joined local leaders and industry partners recently to see Space Florida Academy students in action at three Central Florida schools. Students at Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida, demonstrated their skills in aerospace engineering, robotics, building trades, welding, and more. Later, in Merritt Island, Florida, Ho and the other leaders stopped by the Aeronautics & Flight Exploration (AFEX) program and cloud computing classrooms at Merritt Island High School and the robotics lab at nearby Edgewood Junior/Senior High School.
Since its launch in August 2024, the Space Florida Academy has expanded from 23 to 42 participating school districts, preparing students for careers in aviation and aerospace, advanced manufacturing, construction, cybersecurity, logistics, and semiconductors.
Elaine Ho, center, poses for a photo with Space Florida representatives, public school officials, aerospace industry partners, and students at Edgewood Junior/Senior High School in Merritt Island, Florida on Aug. 27, 2026.
Credit: NASA/Clayton Rougelot
“It’s all about showing students what’s possible and then giving them the tools to achieve it,” said Dean Cuke, Merritt Island High School AFEX astronautics and aviation flight instructor. “There are far more possible pathways to be part of the space industry than I think they realize. We’re showing them ways that they can attain that, through learning, through motivation and chasing after their dreams. I’m excited for them.”
Merritt Island High School juniors and student pilots Olivia Street and Troy Wallenburg have both benefited from the program.
“It makes you feel like you’re a part of something way bigger than just a high school class. I learned what I want to do when I grow up – to be a pilot,” Street said.
“My entire life, I’ve just loved space,” Wallenburg said. “It’s great knowing that I’m actually somewhat involved in it, too.”
A student in the Merritt Island High School Aeronautics and Flight Exploration program shows Elaine Ho, left, how to use a flight simulator on Aug. 27, 2026.
Credit: NASA/Clayton Rougelot
“I’m so impressed by how this region holds so many opportunities for our students, who are incredibly capable of solving hard problems, who can build our hardware, who want to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Ho said. “NASA is really focused on ensuring that those opportunities are easier to reach.”
A new school year brings fresh opportunities to get involved with NASA. Whether you’re curious about space or eager to build real STEM skills, NASA offers a world of experiences putting you close to the action. As we enter a new golden age of exploration, there’s no better time to jump in, try something bold, and see where your curiosity takes you.
Gain Hands-On NASA Experience
NASA opens the door to authentic mission experiences through internships and student challenges. As members of the NASA team, interns work on genuine agency projects and gain industry-ready skills, all with the guidance of NASA mentors. Visit NASA’s internships website to learn more about current vacancies, deadlines, eligibility requirements, and more.
Through NASA’s student challenges and competitions, student teams tackle some of the critical technical hurdles facing mission planners. Flex your innovative muscles and sharpen your collaborative and problem-solving skills while developing, prototyping, and testing your team’s designs. Check out the full list of NASA STEM challenges and opportunities, choose one that fits your interests, and assemble your team.
Students cross the finish line in their human-powered rover during the 2025 Human Exploration Rover Challenge at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama
USSRC/Emily Riddle
Discover Technical Careers at NASA
The future of aerospace depends on a steady pipeline of skilled technical experts ready to make missions and ideas a reality. NASA invites students in high school, community college, and career technical education programs to join in-person and virtual events to explore these important career paths.
NASA Career Technical Education Days bring students on-site to meet NASA skilled technical workers who share what their jobs are like, how they built their careers, and the skills, training, and certifications that have helped them succeed. During NASA’s Next Gen STEM Virtual Career Connections , students interact live with technical experts supporting the agency’s missions. Students and teachers can learn more on the Next Gen STEM for Careers website.
A technician performs welding on a spacecraft transporter at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
NASA/Ben Smegelsky
Contribute to NASA Science as a Citizen Scientist
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate invites you to help make real discoveries through science projects powered by volunteers. Join from anywhere, whenever it fits your schedule, and start working with authentic mission data. Help identify comets and asteroids, hunt for binary star systems, and more. Find the project that’s right for you on the list of current citizen science projects.
Keep Up With NASA Missions and Discoveries
Don’t miss out on NASA’s biggest mission milestones this school year! Up first is the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, scheduled to launch no earlier than 7:20 a.m. EDT on Sunday, Aug. 30. This powerful new observatory has a field of view at least 100 times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope. Be a virtual guest for launch and learn more about the telescope with fun activities provided by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. You can also sign up to be a virtual guest for NASA’s next crewed launch to the International Space Station, SpaceX Crew-13, set to launch in September.
And be sure to follow NASA’s continuing crew training and hardware preparations for Artemis III. Set to launch into Earth orbit in 2027, the flight will test rendezvous and docking capabilities with commercial human landing systems – landers that will carry astronauts to the lunar surface on Artemis IV and future missions to the Moon.
NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir answer questions inside the International Space Station’s Kibo laboratory module during a live downlink event in May 2026.
NASA
Stay Engaged With NASA
Schools, classrooms, and community-based student groups have further options to engage with NASA and its people. Through In-Flight STEM Downlinks, students have their pre-recorded questions answered live by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, demonstrating how STEM careers reach far beyond Earth. Additionally, the NASA Engages public outreach program connects agency experts with student audiences to share mission and science updates, helping people discover how NASA’s work unfolds and how they can be part of the journey.
This school year, whether you’re interested in aerospace jobs or eager to dive into authentic STEM challenges, you’ll find an array of activities and career exploration tools on NASA’s Learning Resources website. Explore exciting NASA student opportunities and subscribe to the weekly NASA EXPRESS email newsletter for the latest NASA STEM opportunities and updates!
Electricity powers the world, and electricians are the ones who get it where it needs to go. An electrician is an expert who is trained to make sure electrical systems and equipment are installed safely and working correctly. Electricians are involved in a variety of systems, including power, lighting, communications, and more – anything that needs electricity to run.
While electricians ensure systems and equipment have the power they need, electrical technicians focus on building, modifying, or testing electronic devices.
What are some of the different types of work electricians and electrical technicians do at NASA?
At NASA, electricians keep the lights on and the power flowing for rocket launches, scientific research, and everything in between. Their skills support engineers and scientists in building and testing spacecraft, aircraft, satellites, telescopes, and the equipment that makes human spaceflight possible. Electricians make sure all facilities and equipment have the power and functionality they need to be safe and ready to support NASA’s missions.
Electrical technicians at the agency help bring big ideas to life. They might build and wire control systems, connect tiny sensors to circuit boards, or write the software to make a device work in a specific way. They also test instruments in conditions that mimic space – extreme temperatures, intense vibrations, and even a vacuum – to make sure they will survive and perform well during their missions. Technicians use specialized tools, earn certifications, and work with incredible precision.
Being an electrician or electrical technician at NASA is careful, hands‑on work carried out with expertise. Because space hardware is headed to places like low-Earth orbit, the Moon, or even Mars, every detail has to be perfect.
What are the different certification levels for electricians?
The information below is a general overview of the career path of an electrician. Specific guidelines for these roles vary from state to state. It’s important to look up the license requirements in your state.
Apprentice electrician: This four-year job training program provides an entry into the industry. An apprentice works as an assistant to an experienced supervisor, gaining vital hands-on experience to move ahead as an electrician.
Journeyman electrician: A journeyman is an electrician who has finished an apprenticeship, then passed a test. At this stage, the electrician is licensed and allowed to work without supervision.
Master electrician: This is the highest certification possible for an electrician. Typically, a master electrician is someone who has completed approximately 4,000 hours as a journeyman, then passed a licensing exam. These electricians are qualified to work on complicated projects. They can also serve as supervisors for apprentices or journeymen following in their footsteps.
How can I become an electrician?
There are many options that provide the training needed to get started as an electrician or electrical technician.
Many community colleges, trade schools, and technical institutes offer a two-year program leading to an associate degree in electrical technology. Additionally, trade unions and apprenticeship programs provide real-world experience in the field.
Additionally, all branches of the U.S. military offer electronics training that may be transferrable to college credits or civilian certifications.
How can I start preparing today to become an electrician?
It’s never too early to set the stage for an electrifying career! In high school, you can take courses in math, science, and technical education. At the same time, you can start learning about basic electrical concepts such as circuitry and safety.
Begin researching associate degree programs and apprenticeship opportunities so you can consider which pathway seems right for you. Weighing these options now will help you understand program requirements and ensure you’re ready to take the next step.
You can also gain useful experience through part-time work, or shadowing electricians on the job.
What skills will I need to be a successful electrician?
Technical skills focus on the basics – how electricity works, how to stay safe, and how to read schematics and wiring diagrams. Some jobs also call for special hands‑on abilities, like soldering tiny components, putting together cables, or even having some familiarity with chemistry.
Being curious, open‑minded, and a good communicator matters, too. Any time you’re building or improving a device, you must understand who will use it and what they need it to do. Asking questions, sharing ideas, and being able to take feedback are essential to consistently building systems and devices that work well.
David McClaeb, electronic technician, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland
Advice from NASA electricians and electronic technicians
“As an aerospace technician, you have the opportunity to make a big difference. You can make a really big impact.” – Christopher Johnson, aerospace electrical engineering technician, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida
“What I wish I knew in high school is how many opportunities there are for electricians. I didn’t realize how big of a scale it really was. Everything needs electricity, and the sky’s the limit on what you can do with it. NASA needs electricians for everything from their testing campaigns to keeping their facilities running.” – Levi James, electrician apprentice, NASA’s Glenn Research Center at Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio
“It’s so gratifying when somebody comes in and says, ‘Hey, we want to build this, but it looks really difficult,’ and we say, ‘Yeah, it looks difficult, but we can do it’ – and we build it and then we hand it over to them, and then we’re on to the next thing. It’s a challenge, and I’m telling you, it is just so fun.” – David McClaeb, electronic technician, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland
Electricity powers the world, and electricians are the ones who get it where it needs to go. An electrician is an expert who is trained to make sure electrical systems and equipment are installed safely and working correctly. Electricians are involved in a variety of systems, including power, lighting, communications, and more – anything that needs electricity to run.
While electricians ensure systems and equipment have the power they need, electrical technicians focus on building, modifying, or testing electronic devices.
What are some of the different types of work electricians and electrical technicians do at NASA?
At NASA, electricians keep the lights on and the power flowing for rocket launches, scientific research, and everything in between. Their skills support engineers and scientists in building and testing spacecraft, aircraft, satellites, telescopes, and the equipment that makes human spaceflight possible. Electricians make sure all facilities and equipment have the power and functionality they need to be safe and ready to support NASA’s missions.
Electrical technicians at the agency help bring big ideas to life. They might build and wire control systems, connect tiny sensors to circuit boards, or write the software to make a device work in a specific way. They also test instruments in conditions that mimic space – extreme temperatures, intense vibrations, and even a vacuum – to make sure they will survive and perform well during their missions. Technicians use specialized tools, earn certifications, and work with incredible precision.
Being an electrician or electrical technician at NASA is careful, hands‑on work carried out with expertise. Because space hardware is headed to places like low-Earth orbit, the Moon, or even Mars, every detail has to be perfect.
What are the different certification levels for electricians?
The information below is a general overview of the career path of an electrician. Specific guidelines for these roles vary from state to state. It’s important to look up the license requirements in your state.
Apprentice electrician: This four-year job training program provides an entry into the industry. An apprentice works as an assistant to an experienced supervisor, gaining vital hands-on experience to move ahead as an electrician.
Journeyman electrician: A journeyman is an electrician who has finished an apprenticeship, then passed a test. At this stage, the electrician is licensed and allowed to work without supervision.
Master electrician: This is the highest certification possible for an electrician. Typically, a master electrician is someone who has completed approximately 4,000 hours as a journeyman, then passed a licensing exam. These electricians are qualified to work on complicated projects. They can also serve as supervisors for apprentices or journeymen following in their footsteps.
How can I become an electrician?
There are many options that provide the training needed to get started as an electrician or electrical technician.
Many community colleges, trade schools, and technical institutes offer a two-year program leading to an associate degree in electrical technology. Additionally, trade unions and apprenticeship programs provide real-world experience in the field.
Additionally, all branches of the U.S. military offer electronics training that may be transferrable to college credits or civilian certifications.
How can I start preparing today to become an electrician?
It’s never too early to set the stage for an electrifying career! In high school, you can take courses in math, science, and technical education. At the same time, you can start learning about basic electrical concepts such as circuitry and safety.
Begin researching associate degree programs and apprenticeship opportunities so you can consider which pathway seems right for you. Weighing these options now will help you understand program requirements and ensure you’re ready to take the next step.
You can also gain useful experience through part-time work, or shadowing electricians on the job.
What skills will I need to be a successful electrician?
Technical skills focus on the basics – how electricity works, how to stay safe, and how to read schematics and wiring diagrams. Some jobs also call for special hands‑on abilities, like soldering tiny components, putting together cables, or even having some familiarity with chemistry.
Being curious, open‑minded, and a good communicator matters, too. Any time you’re building or improving a device, you must understand who will use it and what they need it to do. Asking questions, sharing ideas, and being able to take feedback are essential to consistently building systems and devices that work well.
David McClaeb, electronic technician, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland
Advice from NASA electricians and electronic technicians
“As an aerospace technician, you have the opportunity to make a big difference. You can make a really big impact.” – Christopher Johnson, aerospace electrical engineering technician, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida
“What I wish I knew in high school is how many opportunities there are for electricians. I didn’t realize how big of a scale it really was. Everything needs electricity, and the sky’s the limit on what you can do with it. NASA needs electricians for everything from their testing campaigns to keeping their facilities running.” – Levi James, electrician apprentice, NASA’s Glenn Research Center at Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio
“It’s so gratifying when somebody comes in and says, ‘Hey, we want to build this, but it looks really difficult,’ and we say, ‘Yeah, it looks difficult, but we can do it’ – and we build it and then we hand it over to them, and then we’re on to the next thing. It’s a challenge, and I’m telling you, it is just so fun.” – David McClaeb, electronic technician, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland
At NASA, electricians keep the lights on and the power flowing for rocket launches, scientific research, and everything in between. Their skills support engi...
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