CAPE CANAVERAL SPACEPORT, October 7, 2002 – The Florida Space Research Institute (FSRI) continues to expand its Advanced Learning Environment (ALE) initiative with over 1,400 registered aerospace workers and students, and over $110,000 in new NASA funding for hydrogen-oriented cryogenics education and an on-line mentoring pilot program.

    “Web-based technologies are expanding Florida’s K-20 education and training services, including programs to support the state’s vital aerospace workforce” said Lieutenant Governor Frank Brogan.  “FSRI’s success with the Advanced Learning Environment demonstrates how Florida and NASA can work together to meet common workforce development needs.”

    As of October 1, FSRI has registered 1,413 people to receive a full year of free access to ALE’s specialized training modules and interactive education capabilities, exceeding its original goal of 1,320.  These “scholarships” were sponsored by Workforce Florida, Inc. (WFI) and FSRI to develop the state’s aerospace industry workforce. 

    The new NASA funding for ALE comes from an FSRI partnership with the University of Central Florida’s NASA-sponsored Hydrogen Research & Applications Center (HYRAC) and the Florida Space Grant Consortium (FSGC).  FSRI will receive $75,000 from HYRAC for hydrogen-oriented cryogenics content; and $35,000 from a NASA grant to FSGC to fund an ALE-based pilot program for on-line mentoring.  

    This new funding leverages a previous investment of $1.9 million by WFI and NASA in ALE’s development, begun in 2001 after Lt. Governor Frank Brogan and Kennedy Space Center Director Roy Bridges signed a cooperative agreement to support aerospace workforce development.

    For more information about ALE, visit FSRI’s website at www.fsri.org or call Tom Cavanagh at 321-452-2653, extension 211.

    FSRI was established by Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature to promote collaboration among the state’s academic institutions, space-related companies, and federal space agencies to support statewide space-related education, training, research and technology development.

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Edward Ellegood
Director, Policy & Program Development
Florida Space Research Institute
Phone = 321-452-2653, ext. 204