Space Foundation’s JSEP Program Gains Strong Support from Space Industry Leaders to Cultivate Skilled Talent

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

• Manitou High School
• Sponsored by Lockheed Martin
• Harrison High School
• Sponsored by Northrop Grumman
• Sponsored by DoD STEM
• Lester Arnold High School
• Sponsored by L3Harris
• Widefield High School
• Sponsored by DoD STEM
• Hope Academy
• Sponsored by DoD STEM
• Village High School
• Sponsored by DoD STEM
• Odyssey High School
• Sponsored by DoD STEM
• James Irwin Charter School
• Sponsored by DoD STEM

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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Tags: Space Foundation, Center for Innovation and Education, Junior Space Entrepreneur Program, DoD STEM L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, sponsors, space economy, space technology, space innovation, space ecosystem, space advocate, STEM, STEAM education

Media Contacts:

Rich Cooper
Vice President, Strategic Communications & Outreach
Space Foundation
(202) 596-0714
rcooper@spacefoundation.org

Dottie O’Rourke
TECHMarket Communications
(650) 344-1260
SpaceFoundation@techmarket.com