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From NASA to startup: Alumna launches AI platform to bridge tech and policy

Payton Barnwell ’19 has dedicated her successful high-tech career to creating meaningful impact through innovation. She helped optimize space station crops as a NASA intern, worked in mission control at Virgin Galactic, and led geospatial product development at SkyFi, creating easy-to-use tools from complex data and imagery. Now, the Florida Polytechnic University alumna has embarked on a new adventure. Barnwell

NSF-funded study uses brain data to rethink engineering education

Fueled by a new National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, innovative research at Florida Polytechnic University aims to redefine the way professors approach engineering design education. Dr. Elisabeth Kames, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a $200,000 grant to study how students cognitively engage with engineering design challenges. The research will employ neurocognitive tools such as electroencephalography (EEG), as well as

Florida Poly student research uncovers laser light from peacock feathers

Undergraduate discovery sparks nationwide scientific attention Florida Polytechnic University senior Anthony Fiorito has captured national attention in the scientific community with groundbreaking research revealing that peacock feathers can emit precise laser light. Fiorito, an engineering physics major, is the first author of a study that has been spotlighted by leading publications including Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The

New SGA president focuses on student voices, organizational strength

Connection, communication and advocacy are Colby Manrodt’s top goals as the new president of Florida Polytechnic University’s Student Government Association. “I think our University is in a period of transitioning and going through a lot of change, so we are going to focus this year on bringing better forms of communication to our student body,” said Manrodt, a senior majoring

Florida Poly’s enrollment hits record high, momentum soars

Florida Polytechnic University welcomed the new academic year on Monday, Aug. 18 with a record-breaking total enrollment of more than 1,900 students, marking a more than 10% increase over last year’s historic enrollment and the second consecutive year of growth. “This remarkable enrollment underscores the growing recognition of Florida Poly’s value in preparing students for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr.

Florida Poly reaches new heights with record Fulbright participation

Florida Polytechnic University is welcoming the largest cohort of distinguished Fulbright awardees in its history, with international scholars and students set to pursue advanced research and graduate studies during the 2025-26 academic year. The group of 21 graduate students and scholars participating in the prestigious U.S. State Department program reflects the University’s solid commitment to fostering global collaborations and advancing

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Recap: Top Moments from the Virtual Reality #STEMTalks Event

Florida Polytechnic University hosted its third #STEMTalks virtual event of the 2016-17 academic year on February 21 titled, “Virtual Reality: A World of Immersion.” This #STEMTalks event featured a panel of experts who are involved in different aspects of virtual reality, from gaming to flight simulation. Tyler Hopf, Creative Director at IrisVR, joined the conversation from New York to discuss

Time Saver: The Next to Find Strength in Numbers

Seconds on the clock usually seem insignificant. But Calvin Ingram knows better. The Florida Polytechnic University junior deals in time and efficiency. It’s the basis of his study of Mechanical Engineering and Motion Intelligence. Motion intelligence examines the movement of people and objects. For example, specialists use this science to plan the flow of fans leaving and entering a stadium,

University Receives $1.5 Million Grant to Improve Fog Prediction

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University Professor Dr. Christina Drake has received a $1.5 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to study new methods of predicting fog on Florida roadways, helping forecasters better alert travelers of dangerous weather conditions. Florida Poly will work with PraxSoft, an information technology and engineering company based in Orlando, to refine, develop and

Pitching Greatness: The Next to Build the Future

You won’t find presidents or treasurers in Florida Polytechnic University’s Next Tech Entrepreneurs club. Instead, they’re preparing for their future with titles like CEO and CFO. “We wanted to create a place where we could learn the fundamentals of a start-up,” explains club founder and CEO Elijah Campbell, who is majoring in Advanced Technology. “A lot of students have great

Italian Consul General Visits Florida Polytechnic University

Italian Consul General Gloria Marina Bellelli toured Florida Polytechnic University on Wednesday, soaking in the architecture of the Innnovation, Science and Technology Building and learning more about the university’s approach to teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Bellelli and her office represent more than 35,000 Italian citizens living in the Southeastern U.S. and Caribbean nations. On Wednesday, Bellelli described

CFDC and Florida Polytechnic University Host Business Partnership Building Event

Lakeland, Fla, Feb. 6, 2017 – The Quebec-Florida Chamber of Commerce (CCQF) held its first trade mission in Central Florida on Wednesday, Feb. 1, highlighted by a visit to the campus of Florida Polytechnic University in Polk County. Hosted by the Polk Global Trade Alliance (PGTA), an initiative of the Central Florida Development Council (CFDC), and Florida Poly, the event

University Joins Top Research Labs With New Equipment

Florida Polytechnic University is now home to a collection of analytical instruments typically found in some of the top research labs in the country. While most of the general public has never heard of an X-ray diffractometer, they’ve certainly seen its products. A diffractometer uses X-rays to determine the structure of a crystal. It’s a test used to study the

All Booked: The Next To Improve Convenience

Florida Poly students are natural problem solvers. Just ask Gabriel Hutchison, a junior who applied his Computer Science studies to a problem every college student can relate to: class enrollment. More specifically, how to coordinate open classes and their specific days and times, a required course load and a schedule outside classes. Gabriel is also a commuter, so it’s helpful

Middle Schoolers Excel Under Florida Polytechnic University Mentors

A robotics team from Lakeland Christian School enjoyed several victories this semester, often against students much older than themselves. Their secret weapon: Florida Polytechnic University students. “It’s a transformative experience in the lives of young students when they have college kids ready to help them out,” says Jennifer Canady, director of the RISE Institute at Lakeland Christian. While the team

Florida Polytechnic University Students Now Eligible to Apply for Federal Student Aid

LAKELAND, Fla. – Students at Florida Polytechnic University are now eligible to apply for Federal Student Aid after the University successfully completed a series of steps required by the US Department of Education. This new designation for Florida Poly means current and prospective students can submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2016-17 academic year to

Florida Polytechnic University Names Commons Area Inside IST Building After Industry Partner Saddle Creek Logistics Services

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University named the commons area inside the Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building after Saddle Creek Logistics Services on Monday. Saddle Creek has been an industry partner with Florida Poly since the University opened its doors in 2014. The naming of the commons area after Saddle Creek reflects the importance of the partnership. “Saddle Creek’s

First Students Graduate from Florida Polytechnic University

LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University graduated its first ever class during a historic commencement ceremony on campus Tuesday. Eighteen students received degrees in Innovation and Technology, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. Florida Poly was established to be an innovative institution and powerful resource for economic advancement, training the next generation to be leaders and entrepreneurs in high-tech