Garland ISD students will soon step into the world of aerospace through a new partnership bringing applied space science directly into the classroom at the Gilbreath-Reed Career and Technical Center (GRCTC).

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, the district will join the Aldrin Family Foundation to launch the S-Cubed (Student Satellites and Space) program, a two-year Career and Technical Education (CTE) initiative funded by the Texas Space Commission and developed in collaboration with Twiggs Space Lab and the University of Texas Center for Space Research.

“This is about what industry needs and what students are excited about,” Dr. Jasna Aliefendic, CTE coordinator, said. “Programs like this connect both of those priorities in a meaningful way.”

The highly competitive program will be implemented across 30 Texas school districts and will engage students in satellite technology, robotics, and engineering through project-based learning.

Garland ISD’s selection reflects strong student interest and the district’s readiness to deliver the program at a high level. At the GRCTC, dedicated lab spaces allow students to move between instruction and application as they design, build, and test systems in an environment that reflects professional engineering settings.

Students will test their work in real conditions, including launching student-built systems on high-altitude balloons.

Marcus Myers, the GRCTC engineering teacher who will lead the course, said the learning environment is designed to be active, engaging, and aligned with industry expectations.

“It’s about building, testing, and solving problems,” Myers said. “Students work with tools, program systems, and collaborate on projects in ways that reflect what engineers do.”

In Year 1, students will build foundational knowledge in space exploration while developing technical skills such as soldering, circuit diagnostics, and programming. They will construct and program a Jiggybot robot, work with FlatSat hardware, and participate in a high-altitude balloon launch to test systems they design.

Myers said students will also engage in shared projects that emphasize collaboration and accountability.

“They contribute to shared designs, track their work, and function as part of a team,” he said. “It creates a space where students learn with each other.”

In Year 2, students will advance into satellite engineering and payload design, taking on more complex challenges that build on their foundational knowledge. The program culminates in an opportunity for one participating district to launch a student-designed payload into space.

District leaders said S-Cubed complements existing engineering and robotics pathways, expanding opportunities while aligning with newly approved coursework in space design and engineering.

As interest in aerospace continues to grow alongside Texas’s expanding role in the industry, Garland ISD’s participation positions students to gain meaningful, industry-aligned experience in a rapidly evolving field.

From designing satellites to testing systems near the edge of space, students at the GRCTC are building the skills and confidence to shape what comes next in engineering and exploration.