Editor’s Note: This is the second of a three-part series on an Okaloosa County engineer’s plans to enhance the Crestview area’s economy.
The third part will focus on plans to add drone technology to Laurel Hill School’s curriculum.
CRESTVIEW — Local engineer Paul Hsu knows the value of technology-based education; as an employer, he needs technology-savvy workers.
So last year, he founded the Teaching Excellence Awards in Math and Science, or TEAMS, to recognize educators who excel at inspiring students in science, technology, engineering and math.
When high school math teachers Fiona Lukas, of Baker School, and Michelle Hokans, of Crestview High, were awarded $5,000 in March, North Okaloosa County educators realized that being an effective STEM teacher has additional rewards.
Having highly motivated STEM teachers mold minds is just one part of Hsu's plan to enhance North Okaloosa's economy.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
Hsu’s vision for Okaloosa County centers on Bob Sikes Airport and the Crestview Technology Air Park, known as C-TAP, which Hsu co-founded with flight test pilot and engineer Bob Keller.
“North Okaloosa is important to growing the Okaloosa County economy,” Hsu said. “Tourism is important, but we need something more than tourism. We need something that will stay here and support us in the long run. I really want to further develop C-TAP.”
Within two years, the partners hope to build a $30 million hangar to a global aircraft manufacturer tenant's specifications. Hsu believes the project can employ between 200 and 600 workers in a high-tech, high-wage capacity.
However, he said, “We cannot just grow the high-tech sector without the support of our education system. The future qualified workers need to be trained at our local schools."
TECHNOLOGY INCUBATOR
Hsu believes C-TAP’s expansion can include opportunities for high school students to experience, first-hand, careers in aerospace related industries.
In addition to hangars, C-TAP has room for a 20- to 30,000-square-foot office building. “It can be used as a training facility, or a small-business, high-tech incubator,” Hsu said. “I can see it. But we can’t do this ourselves.”
Hsu wants to work with research and economics faculty at the University of West Florida and the Okaloosa County School District to develop such a training facility. “…Maybe after school (the district) can bus some of the students from Crestview, from Baker and Laurel Hill to C-TAP,” Hsu said.
There, STEM students would immerse in practical, real-world technology projects under UWF and industry instructors' guidance, under Hsu's plan.
'A VALUABLE PARTNER'
Through the Paul Hsu Foundation TEAMS prizes, Hsu wants to encourage North Okaloosa high school teachers to excel in producing the highly skilled workers C-TAP needs.
“These awards for our teachers go a long way in improving their ability to teach STEM subjects, and thus help their students,” school district Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson said. “The foundation is a valuable partner, and we are blessed to have leaders like Dr. Hsu engaged in our school district.”
Lukas said the recognition "brings mathematics and science into focus for the community and helps them see what actually goes on in the classrooms."
“As for the award itself, it helps you look at your teaching and what you’re doing as a teacher for the kids,” she said. “It increases self-awareness of what you’re teaching.”
BEYOND ACADEMICS
The program has stimulated praise beyond academic circles.
“Dr. Hsu’s generosity will help teachers help students gain greater skills in exactly those sectors of the economy where high-paying jobs will exist in ever greater numbers,” state Sen. Don Gaetz said.
State Rep. Doug Broxson, whose district includes North Okaloosa County, applauds Hsu’s commitment to education.
“The (TEAMS award) recognizes our outstanding teachers who prepare our students to compete in a global economy from right here in northern Okaloosa County,” he said.
THE T.E.A.M.S. AWARD
The Paul Hsu Foundation’s Teaching Excellence Awards in Math and Science, or TEAMS — administered through the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce — annually present a $5,000 prize to two North Okaloosa County high school STEM teachers.
Teachers may be nominated by students, faculty members, administrators, parents, community members or they may nominate themselves, at www.surveymonkey.com/r/6QTMPYY. Applications are due Oct. 30.
THE T.E.A.M.S. AWARD
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Hsu: Supporting STEM teachers will produce tech-savvy North Okaloosa workers