Project Venture- Students with Great Abilities

The Able Trust High School High Tech (HSHT) Conference was held on April 28-29, 2022, in Orlando, Florida.  Ernie Friend, Executive Director of FLATE, and Dr. Marilyn Barger, Senior Education Advisor from FLATE, attended this year’s event.  The Able Trust High School High Tech (HSHT) program is designed to provide high school students with all types of disabilities the opportunity to explore jobs or postsecondary education leading to in-demand careers. HSHT links youth to a broad range of academic, career development, and experiential resources and experiences that will enable them to meet the demands of the 21^st-century workforce. There are over 40 HSHT Sites in Florida, and the educational coordinators at these sites were attendees at this professional development conference.

FLATE has supported Able Trust and the HSHT program for many years.  Marilyn and Ernie had an opportunity to present at the High School High Tech (HSHT) to the team working with students.  From that presentation, new partnerships have already formed.  The presentation included an overview of manufacturing careers, salaries, and opportunities. Many attendees were surprised by the high starting pay and diversity of career options in today’s manufacturing environment. The attendees also wanted assistance connecting with educators and industry in their service area.  FLATE has strong connections with industry and educators around the state and can help provide that assistance. FLATE hosts the Made in Florida website with many resources to help engage students, teachers, and industry.

An Able Trust HSHT program called Project Venture challenges high school students to develop a business plan proposal for a new product and accompanying commercial. This competition allows students to develop and hone their communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills in a workplace-related simulation. Marilyn was invited to judge this year’s final three-team competition.  All three Project Venture student teams created fully developed products with business plans.  The student projects included a motor that shakes a vending machine when a product hangs up, an Uber-type app designed for visually impaired people, and the last project was an attachment for a seatbelt that would notify police or other emergency response personnel of a person’s individual disabilities. 

Congratulations to the High School High Tech finalist teams from Lake, Orange, and St Johns counties. You can watch their 1 minute commercials on the Project Venture webpage.