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Florida Polytechnic University employees watch the live broadcast of a NASA diver performing an underwater test of the University’s student-designed tool dock as part of NASA’s Micro-g NExT Challenge.

NASA tests Florida Poly student-designed tool to improve spacewalks

August 7, 2026

When astronauts venture outside the International Space Station to perform critical maintenance, it is essential for them to access and store their tools quickly and conveniently. Every tool must remain securely attached to their spacesuit while still being readily available when needed. A team of Florida Polytechnic University mechanical engineering students spent 10 months developing a one-handed wearable tool dock designed to make that process easier, faster and more efficient. NASA put the team’s tool to the test at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Florida Polytechnic University senior Avery Reef at his internship location, Watts Water Technologies.

Student internship brings product development ideas to life

August 6, 2026

Avery Reef, a mechanical engineering student at Florida Polytechnic University, is getting a front-row seat to how products progress from a simple idea to the factory floor. The hands-on experience is helping shape his future engineering career. Reef is an intern with Watts Water Technologies, a global leader in water system solutions.

Phoenix Racing at Florida Polytechnic University crosses the finish line and take third place among U.S. teams in the American Solar Challenge cross-country solar vehicle race.

Phoenix Racing finishes 3rd among U.S. teams in cross-country solar race debut

August 4, 2026

Phoenix Racing crossed the finish line to place third among U.S. teams and sixth overall in its debut at the biennial Electrek American Solar Challenge on Saturday, Aug. 1.

Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas and Florida Polytechnic University President Devin Stephenson sign an expanded transfer agreement July 30 at Florida Poly’s Barnett Applied Research Center, joined by legislators, trustees, industry representatives and students.

Polk State and Florida Poly partner to build regional STEM pipeline

July 30, 2026

Polk State College and Florida Polytechnic University have entered into an articulation agreement, establishing the Eagle to Phoenix Pathway program for students. Polk State President Anastasios Kamoutsas and Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson signed the agreement on Thursday, July 30, strengthening the partnership between the institutions and expanding opportunities for students.

Florida Poly electrical engineering student Cooper Hawk at The Haskell Company in Jacksonville where he is an intern this summer.

Florida Poly student designs electrical systems for real-world impact

July 28, 2026

When Cooper Hawk began searching for his first engineering internship, he was looking for more than a typical summer job. He wanted hands-on experience with real impact.
The Florida Polytechnic University electrical engineering student found exactly that with The Haskell Company in Jacksonville, Florida,

An aerial view of the Florida Polytechnic University campus. Florida Poly's degree are among the highest paying in New York Federal Reserve Bank analysis.

Florida Poly degrees match nation’s highest-paying majors

July 27, 2026

Engineering and technology fields dominate the nation’s highest-paying college majors, according to a recent analysis by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. At Florida Polytechnic University, students are preparing for careers at the forefront of those high-demand, high-wage fields.

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Florida Poly study reveals complex AI limitations in simple games

July 31, 2024

Dr. Oguzhan Topsakal, assistant professor of computer science at Florida Polytechnic University, and two undergraduate research assistants have created a pioneering benchmarking tool to evaluate the capabilities of artificial intelligence models like ChatGPT and Gemini. The tool uses simple games like tic tac toe to assess the strategic reasoning and planning abilities of these large language models (LLMs), which include

Motorola Solutions internship provides insight, inspiration

July 29, 2024

A summer internship with Motorola Solutions is opening Alexandra Juarbe eyes to the world of possibilities available to her as a rising senior majoring in business analytics at Florida Polytechnic University. “The speed at which everyone and everything moves, as well as their ability to keep calm in any situation, has been surprising,” she said. “The number of opportunities I’ve

Solar racing team makes strong debut at national competition

July 24, 2024

The Phoenix Racing team took its inaugural solar competition racecar onto the track in Kentucky last week and began speeding down a path toward Florida Polytechnic University history.

Florida Poly student electrified by SEL engineering internship

July 18, 2024

Spencer Robinson has gained more from his student internship at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) than he could have ever expected. The rising senior at Florida Polytechnic University began his engineering internship with the company in Wesley Chapel, Florida, in November of 2023 during the first semester of his junior year. SEL has kept him on since then, and Robinson is

Florida Poly expands global footprint with new Fulbright Brazil agreement

July 16, 2024

As Florida Polytechnic University aims to grow its international impact, the all-STEM institution has partnered with the Fulbright Commission Brazil to foster top-quality educational opportunities, strengthening the alliance between the University and the South American country. The memorandum of understanding paves the way for a new academic collaboration, enabling distinguished Brazilian researchers and scholars to conduct cutting-edge research at Florida

Computer science student lands dream internship at Lockheed Martin

July 11, 2024

When Florida Polytechnic University student Jaleel Rogers was applying for summer internships, working at aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin was at the top of his list. The rising senior applied for several of the company’s available internships, hoping each time that he would be accepted.

Phoenix Racing revved up for first Formula Sun Grand Prix

July 10, 2024

The final finishing touches are in place and excitement is high as Florida Polytechnic University’s first solar racing team prepares to head to Bowling Green, Kentucky, this week to participate in its first ever Formula Sun Grand Prix solar car race. Light, eye-catching, and aerodynamic, the car is ready to be loaded up and begin its nearly 800-mile trek to

Dr. Devin Stephenson takes the helm: Meet the Phoenix in Chief

July 8, 2024

Those who meet Dr. Devin Stephenson quickly understand two things: 1) He’s ready to take on and elevate every part of the Florida Poly experience, and 2) being on his team means you’re committing yourself to excellence. Stephenson begins his tenure as the second president of Florida Polytechnic University today, July 8, and said he’s ready to fully immerse himself

A vision fulfilled: President Avent reflects on decade of leadership

July 1, 2024

When Florida Polytechnic University opened its doors for instruction in August of 2014, every bit of the STEM-focused institution was brand new – including its president. Now, 10 years later, Dr. Randy K. Avent, is wrapping up his tenure as the University’s founding president and reflecting on the decade spent leading Florida Poly from an audacious experiment to a nationally

NSF grant funds pioneering Florida Poly Parkinson’s research

June 26, 2024

The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease could become more definitive and measurable thanks to cutting-edge research being developed at Florida Polytechnic University. Dr. Chris Kelley, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, has received a $200,000 National Science Foundation Grant to apply control theory to improve the understanding of movement dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease. The progressive brain disorder causes unintended, uncontrollable movements like

Autonomous vehicle leader advancing research through prestigious Fulbright award

June 18, 2024

Dr. Rahul Razdan, a globally recognized expert in autonomous vehicle technology and senior director of special projects at Florida Polytechnic University, is preparing to head to Hungary this August to begin research funded by the esteemed John von Neumann Distinguished Award in STEM. Razdan will be hosted by the Audi Hungaria Faculty of Automotive Engineering at Széchenyi István University. Fulbright

President Avent’s passion project a tribute to his dad

June 15, 2024

Dr. Randy K. Avent is giving himself a gift that would make his father proud. For the last three years, the Florida Polytechnic University president has spent many of his weekends outside his Lakeland, Florida, home carefully restoring his dad’s 1983 Chevrolet C10 pick-up truck to its original condition. It was the first new vehicle his dad ever owned. Avent’s