The PAEC NW Florida Regional STEM Innovation Hub provides engaging, hands-on STEM learning opportunities for school-aged students across Northwest Florida. Through robotics, engineering, coding, computer science, manufacturing, and team-based science experiences, the Hub helps bring STEM concepts to life through practical learning, exploration, and competition. These skillsets and experiences prepare today’s students for the in-demand careers of tomorrow!
Hands-On STEM Experiences
The Hub features a variety of supported programs and technologies, to be implemented in schools, designed to engage students in STEM learning:
- SeaPerch – An underwater robotics program where students design and build their own robots.
- VEX V5 Robotics – A comprehensive robotics system that allows students to explore engineering through hands-on experiences.
- VEX CTE Arm – Introduces students interested in coding and manufacturing to technology modeled on industrial automation.
- CoDrone – Provides K–12 students opportunities to develop and showcase their piloting and coding skills.
- Science Olympiad – Energizes science education through dynamic, team-based competition.
- Sphero – Gives students opportunities to see computer science in action through cross-curricular lessons and hands-on technology.
From Learning to Competition
A key component of the STEM Innovation Hub is providing students with opportunities to take what they learn and apply it in a competitive environment. These programs can serve as pathways to regional- and state-level STEM competitions for school-aged students, giving participants opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge, creativity, teamwork, and skills in engineering, coding, and problem-solving.
Competition provides an exciting goal for students while encouraging them to refine their designs, solve real-world challenges, collaborate with teammates, and continue developing their STEM skills.
Building STEM Opportunities for Northwest Florida
Together, these experiences create multiple entry points for students to explore STEM, whether programming a robot or drone, engineering an underwater vehicle, investigating advanced technologies, or participating in collaborative science competitions.
If you would like more information on any of these programs the appropriate staff contact is listed on the program specific page.
