EDC provides transportation funding to
Brevard Public Schools for STARBASE Academy

SPACE COAST, Fla. (January 27, 2020) – Brevard County’s own STARBASE Academy officially opened on Saturday, January 25 at Patrick Space Force Base. Only the second location in Florida, STARBASE is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Enrichment Academy founded by the Department of Defense (DoD). Students from Brevard Public Schools will be transported to the new facility thanks to a grant from the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.

The STARBASE program is designed to provide 20 to 25 hours of instruction from military personnel on-base to 5th grade students in one week. DoD funds the facility, administrative and instructor costs incurred by the base for up to 700 hours a year, however, the school district is required to provide transportation to and from the base. The EDC granted $5,000 to BPS for that purpose.

“The significant DoD presence in Brevard County is not only an asset in terms of our national defense, but delivers a total annual economic impact of $1.1 billion,” said EDC President and CEO Lynda Weatherman. “The EDC is proud to support our military, Brevard Public Schools, and a program like STARBASE, which strengthens the ties between community and our servicemen and women.”

STARBASE is designed to raise interest and improve knowledge and skills of youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). By exposing students to the technological environments and positive role models found on military bases and installations, a long-term pipeline of future military and DoD talent can be nurtured.

The 45th Space Wing and BPS applied for the DoD program, which is underway at 66 sites across the United States.

To learn more about DoD STARBASE visit www.DoDSTARBASE.org.

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About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.