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Three teachers smile in front of an F16 at Buckley Space Force Base.

Teachers and about 60 students recently visited Buckley Space Force Base and several aerospace companies as part of a paid summer externship for educators to learn more about what their students need to learn to thrive in the industry. 

The opportunity was a collaboration between Colorado Department of Labor & Employment and the Aerospace Sector Partnership, convened by Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, the Colorado Space Business Roundtable. The visitors engaged with aerospace businesses, university programs, and nonprofits to learn about the opportunities and challenges facing the industry, as well as skills and knowledge needed for those careers.

“We did five different types of externships related to aerospace this summer and hoping to grow that in the future,” said Kelly Reeser, teacher externship grant coordinator at CDLE. Externship opportunities in other STEM industries include construction, advanced manufacturing, I.T., and virtual reality.

“In all cases, the goal is the same – to provide teachers with that professional development outside of their buildings so they can bring it back to students,” Reeser said.

Funding for teacher stipends and program expenses came from a combination of a Strong Sectors, Good Jobs grant provided by ADW through the aerospace sector partnership, and Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness funds provided by the Colorado Workforce Development Council. Employees of Lockheed Martin Space (as members of CSBR) played a primary role in planning and carrying out the program, both in Colorado and Alabama.

For more information about future Teacher Externship opportunities, visit CDLE’s website.