At Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo this spring, the SNF organization announced the beginning of construction on a new Pavilion and expansion of the Florida Air Museum. This weekend, if you happen to be in central Florida, you can attend the grand opening of the museum, with free admission on September 4-6. New exhibits include the Hall of Fame celebrating the who’s who in Florida aviation history and one exploring what it’s like to be with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters.
While you’re there, take a moment to check out the programs now offered through the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), which has leveraged its location and relationship with the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo at KLAL to bring an aviation-focused flavor of education to both youth and adults in the region—and to a wider audience each year as pilots from around the country descend upon the Lakeland-Linder International Airport during the springtime fly-in. The recently released 2026 Impact Report walks the uninitiated through all of those ways—and all of the data to support just how far it has come in 12 years.
In reviewing the report, it’s clear that ACE builds upon the now tried-and-true STEM education model to go beyond “just airplanes” and deliver courses and experiences that illuminate how aviation can serve as a catalyst to spark interest in young people not only to learn to fly or build airplanes, but beyond that into aviation careers.
ACE has its genesis in the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA), founded in 2008 on the Lakeland campus. The CFAA now comprises an aviation high school (opened in 2011) available to local students as a part of the Polk County school system, as well as advanced placement courses and college credit. A companion group, the Lakeland Aero Club, serves as an “after school” hub, where young people can apply their knowledge to flight lessons and aircraft maintenance, because they own the fleet they fly. Summer camps and year-round field trips round out the activities roster.
But the fun isn’t limited to the high-school-aged crowd: In 2026, ACE expanded the STEM Sprouts and Storytime programs to reach nearly 4,000 pre-K through grade 5 youth this year, with age-appropriate activities and materials aimed at investing these budding future aviators with the joy of flight. And looking ahead to the school year beginning this fall, the STEMwrx program for middle and high schoolers will target career awareness and skill development that those interested in “going pro” can use to build their knowledge as well as their nascent resumes.
