Trends In Education
CAREER TECH
Criminal justice student Treasure Gay dusts a CD for fingerprints during her
crime scene investigation class at Treasure Coast High School.
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me the feedback I needed to be my best.”
Duer said she will pursue a career in the Marine Corps as
a helicopter pilot and hopes one day to be a test pilot. Kevin
Adkins is an assistant professor at Embry-Riddle, who has
taught at Central for six years. A former Air Force A-10 pilot,
Adkins mentors 210 students in the core courses of space,
meteorology, robotics, engineering and unmanned aerial
systems (drones).
FLYING THROUGH SCHOOL
“This program builds a strong foundation in science and
math,” Adkins said. “It is a chance to explore a potential
degree or career and they can earn a college transcript and
save money. Sixty percent of my students are interested in engineering,
30 percent in professional aviation and 10 percent
are here for the challenge.”
The students build drones and fly them behind the school
in a specially constructed, netted cage. Other students hone
flying skills piloting different aircraft on simulators. Everyone
in the group flying a drone wanted to go to Embry-Riddle.
With 1,200 students each, the Allied Health and Culinary
Arts programs are the most popular with criminal justice
third. Except for Lincoln Park Academy, the other five high
schools offer five different medical certifications.
Lindsey Porth Healy, 32, earned her nurse practitioner
degree at the age of 23, which may well be a record for the
state of Florida. Sixth in her class at St. Lucie West Centennial
High School, Porth Healy fast-tracked her schooling (including
summers) after entering the Allied Health program as a
freshman, receiving her associate of arts degree through dual
enrollment at Indian River State College while earning her >>
Students at Fort Pierce Central High School learn basic drone skills inside a netted pen behind the school. They can also earn FAA certification.