Preparing Junior High Students for Project Management in Business and Cyber

The Fullerton School District’s grant project, in partnership with Spyder3D, aims to address significant gaps between student skills and regional labor market demands in Orange County, particularly in the high-wage, high-demand sectors of ICT/Digital Media, Business/Entrepreneurship, and Advanced Manufacturing. The project will establish Spyder Labs at junior high schools to provide hands-on experience with industry-level equipment, certifications, and real-world business operations, while also enhancing project management and cybersecurity skills through competitions. It targets equity gaps by increasing participation among Hispanic, female, and socioeconomically disadvantaged students, who are currently underrepresented in these fields. Aligning closely with the regional Strong Workforce Program Plan and labor market data, the project seeks to build clear pathways from junior high to community college programs at Fullerton College and ultimately to careers that meet local industry needs, thereby helping to close workforce shortages and diversify the regional labor pool.

The Fullerton School District’s K14 Pathway Quality Strategies focus on enhancing junior high students’ readiness for high-skill, high-wage careers in ICT/Digital Media, Business/Entrepreneurship, and Advanced Manufacturing through targeted curriculum, instruction, and college and career exploration. Key initiatives include establishing hands-on Spyder Labs at two junior highs to simulate real-world business and technical environments, developing a robust cybersecurity pathway with dedicated professional development and competition preparation, and increasing female and Hispanic student engagement through inclusive curriculum, mentorship, and outreach. The program partners with Fullerton College and UC Irvine to align curriculum and provide advanced opportunities, aiming for measurable outcomes such as increased student participation, skill mastery, industry certifications, and stronger articulated pathways to high school and college. Sustainability is planned via ongoing professional development, embedding career-ready practices, and continuous collaboration across education levels to support equity and long-term success in STEM fields.