For Stephen Masyada, civics education has been a lifelong interest. Now, his work in the field will help shape how civics knowledge and skills are assessed for students across the country.

Masyada, director of the , has been selected as one of 20 members of the panel that will help revise the framework for the civics portion of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for the 2032 assessment.

The appointment recognizes his extensive experience in civics education and provides an opportunity to bring his perspective to a national conversation about what students should know and be able to do as engaged citizens.

鈥淚 think it’s a recognition of the work we do here at the Lou Frey Institute and at 麻豆原创 in civic education and the impact we’ve had on civics in Florida and in some cases nationally,鈥� Masyada says.

Shaping How Civics Education Is Assessed

The NAEP civics assessment provides data used to understand students鈥� civic knowledge nationally. While only a sample of students take the assessment, the results provide a broader picture of civic education across the country.

Masyada says the framework is particularly important because it can influence how policymakers and educators understand what should be emphasized in civics education.

鈥淭he content of the framework will dictate to states what is seen as important and what they’ll be comparing what’s happening in the states to when they release data,鈥� Masyada says.

He also expects the framework to play a role in national evaluations of state standards for civics and government.

As a member of the framework committee, Masyada hopes to help broaden the way civic education is considered and assessed. Rather than focusing solely on students鈥� ability to recall facts, he believes assessments should also consider how students apply their knowledge.

鈥淚 think we really need to think about something beyond just knowledge, but also scenarios,鈥� Masyada says. 鈥淲hat does the knowledge look like in practice, taking it to that next level?鈥�

He also hopes the conversation will consider how civics education can begin earlier, including at the K-5 level.

For Masyada, effective civic education includes foundational knowledge of the nation鈥檚 founding principles, rights and liberties and the responsibilities of citizenship. It also includes dispositions that encourage students to participate in their communities, work with others to address problems and seek solutions to public policy issues.

鈥淗ow do we measure these different dispositions necessary?鈥� Masyada says. 鈥淚 think that’s part of the conversation for the committee that’s involved with this.鈥�

Bringing a National Perspective to Civics Education

The committee鈥檚 work will bring together perspectives from across the country. Masyada says that is important because civic education varies significantly from state to state.

鈥淲e have 50 states and 50 different ways to approach civic education in this country,鈥� Masyada says. 鈥淚 know what’s actually happening and being taught in Florida鈥檚 classrooms. I’ve been involved heavily in standards in this state and helping teachers understand what the standards mean and what they look like.鈥�

A U.S. Air Force veteran, Masyada earned his bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees from the University of Florida and a certificate in instructional design and higher education leadership from 麻豆原创.

He taught high school in Florida for more than a decade and also worked in North Carolina as a state-level social studies specialist. In 2014, he joined the Lou Frey Institute, where he has continued his work supporting civic education.

His experience working directly with K-16 educators, developing and interpreting standards and supporting assessment initiatives has prepared him to contribute to the national framework process.

He is one of two representatives from the College of Sciences involved in the development of the 2032 civics assessment. In addition to Masyada serving on the 20-member framework committee, Terri Fine, professor emerita from the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs (SPSIA) and former associate director of the Lou Frey Institute, will serve on the 10-member content committee.

鈥淭he fact that 麻豆原创 has two people involved I think it’s a huge feather in the cap for all of us,鈥� he says.

As the committee looks toward the 2032 assessment, Masyada hopes its work will strengthen support for high-quality civic education and help establish a shared understanding of what students need to know and how they can participate in civic life.

He also sees an opportunity to consider how the country鈥檚 student population has changed and how civic education can provide common ground.

鈥淲e’re a far more diverse student population than we used to be,鈥� Masyada says. 鈥淪o I think having some commonality, some understanding of what can bring this population together, when it comes to civic education, I think that’s one of my hopes.鈥�

Extending 鲍颁贵鈥檚 Civic Education Work

The Lou Frey Institute at 麻豆原创 houses the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship and has been a leading provider of civic education instructional and professional development resources in Florida since it was established in 2002. 聽The institute reaches approximately 300,000 students and 2,000 teachers across every Florida school district.

鈥淲e appreciate the opportunity to support and represent the college, the school and the university in these different districts, working with so many different teachers and leaders and representing 麻豆原创 on the national stage as well when it comes to civic education,鈥� Masyada says.

Founded in 1963 with the mission to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, the university鈥檚 extensive involvement in space research and education not only drives innovations in space technology but also prepares the next generation of leaders in the field.

With more than 40 active NASA projects totaling more than $67 million in funding, 麻豆原创 continues to push the frontiers of space research, and its contributions promise to help shape the future of humanity’s presence in the cosmos.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 cutting-edge areas of space expertise include:

Space Medicine

鲍颁贵鈥檚 College of Medicine is pioneering new frontiers in aerospace medicine, positioning itself as a leader in space health research and education. Spearheaded by initiatives to create an interdisciplinary curriculum, 麻豆原创 is integrating expertise from engineering, medicine and nursing to address the unique health challenges of space exploration.

The college is building on existing research in space health, including innovative studies on the effects of microgravity on bone health, which could lead to improved protection for astronauts. Collaborations across disciplines, such as testing therapeutics for radiation protection and developing antimicrobial solutions for space station environments, highlight 鲍颁贵鈥檚 commitment to advancing astronaut health and shaping the future of space medicine.

Space Propulsion and Power

麻豆原创 is advancing space propulsion with groundbreaking research that could make space travel more efficient and viable for future missions. Researchers are developing innovative hypersonic propulsion systems, such as rotating detonation rocket engines, which harness high-speed detonations to increase propulsion efficiency and reduce fuel consumption 鈥� an advancement that could significantly lower costs and emissions associated with space travel, creating new commercial opportunities in the industry. 麻豆原创 is taking its hypersonics research even further with its recently launched Center of Excellence in Hypersonic and Space Propulsion 鈥� the HyperSpace Center.

Additionally, 麻豆原创 teams are exploring novel power systems for spacecraft venturing far from the sun, where solar energy becomes impractical. With funding from NASA, researchers are creating storable chemical heat sources capable of providing essential heat and power in extreme environments, from the icy surfaces of distant moons to the intense heat of Venus.

Space Technology and Engineering

麻豆原创 is forging the future of space technology with innovations that push the boundaries of lunar and deep space exploration. Through advancements in lunar resource utilization, 麻豆原创 has developed methods to efficiently extract ice from lunar soil so that it can be transformed into vital resources like water and rocket fuel, while new techniques for processing lunar soil drastically reduce construction costs for infrastructure such as landing pads.

麻豆原创 researchers are also pioneering 3D-printed bricks made from lunar regolith that withstand extreme space conditions, setting the foundation for resilient off-world habitats. Lunar regolith is the loose dust, rocks and materials that cover the moon鈥檚 surface.

鲍颁贵鈥檚 Exolith Lab, part of the , continues to lead in space hardware testing, advancing resource extraction and lunar construction technologies. Meanwhile, FSI’s CubeSat program is opening new doors in space exploration with compact, affordable satellites that give students and researchers access to microgravity and beyond.

Space Commercialization

麻豆原创’s new space commercialization program 鈥� led by , College of Business professor of practice and associate provost for space commercialization and strategy 鈥� positions the university as a leader in space-related business education.

Autry will guide the college鈥檚 efforts to deliver Executive and MBA programs in space commercialization, driving curriculum development and establishing space-focused programs that equip students to lead in the growing commercial space industry.

In addition to the space commercialization聽program, Autry will be working with external stakeholders, including NASA, the U.S. Space Force and commercial firms like Blue Origin, SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, to develop opportunities to advance mutual interests in space.

This includes working with Kennedy Space Center to lead a State University System partnership with the state of Florida to develop the necessary talent to maintain and expand Florida鈥檚 leadership in space exploration and commercialization.

Autry will also be leading 鲍颁贵鈥檚 effort to develop and execute a roadmap for the university鈥檚 SpaceU brand through targeted investments in talent and facilities.

Space Domain Awareness

麻豆原创 is advancing space domain awareness research to protect critical assets in orbit by developing sophisticated algorithms for tracking and predicting the movement of objects such as satellites and asteroids, so they don鈥檛 collide with spacecraft. Under the guidance of aerospace engineering expert Tarek Elgohary, 麻豆原创 researchers are creating a computational framework to rapidly and accurately track space objects in real time. This initiative is backed by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research Dynamic Data and Information Process Program.

麻豆原创 is also addressing the growing issue of orbital debris through a NASA-funded study that includes researchers from 鲍颁贵鈥檚 FSI and . This project seeks to increase public awareness and support for managing space debris, a hazard to satellites and potential space tourism ventures.

Workforce Development

麻豆原创 is propelling students toward dynamic careers in the space industry with hands-on programs and sought-after internship opportunities. Through the new engineering graduate certificate in electronic parts engineering, developed in collaboration with NASA, students are gaining essential skills in testing and evaluating space-ready electronic components 鈥� a key advantage for aspiring space professionals.

Additionally, 麻豆原创 students can benefit from hands-on internships at Kennedy Space Center, where they gain real-world experience in various fields, from engineering to project management.

At the , students gain direct experience in microgravity research and robotics. The center embodies 鲍颁贵鈥檚 commitment to democratizing space access, offering pathways for students from all backgrounds to participate in and contribute to the growing space industry.

FSI鈥檚 CubeSat program further immerses students in satellite design and operation, offering direct involvement in active space missions.

Planetary Science

麻豆原创’s planetary science program is driving breakthroughs in space exploration with projects spanning the moon, Mars and beyond. The NASA-funded Lunar-VISE mission, led by 麻豆原创, will explore the Gruithuisen domes on the far side of the moon to understand their volcanic origins, potentially unlocking insights crucial for future space exploration.

Complementing this, 麻豆原创 researchers are contributing to NASA鈥檚 Lunar Trailblazer mission, which will map water ice deposits on the moon 鈥� an essential resource for sustained stays in space. On another front, 麻豆原创 scientists are studying dust behavior in microgravity through experiments that flew on Blue Origin鈥檚 New Shepard rocket, potentially leading to strategies for mitigating lunar dust, a challenge for electronics and equipment on future missions.

Expanding its reach beyond the moon, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 planetary science research involves asteroid studies, including the high-profile OSIRIS-REx mission to asteroid Bennu and examining seismic wave propagation in simulated asteroid materials to understand asteroid evolution and early planetary formation. 麻豆原创 is also home to the , a node of NASA鈥檚 Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute, which facilitates NASA鈥檚 exploration of deep space by focusing its goals at the intersection of surface science and surface exploration of rocky, atmosphereless bodies.

Additionally, 麻豆原创 researchers are studying trans-Neptunian objects and using the James Webb Space Telescope to explore the solar system’s outer reaches, analyzing ancient ices to uncover clues about the solar system’s history, while also investigating exoplanets to advance our understanding of other planets and to search for life beyond Earth.

In parallel, 麻豆原创 researchers are also advancing bold ideas for terraforming Mars through nanoparticle dispersion to create warming effect, making the Red Planet potentially more habitable.

麻豆原创 researchers have also contributed their expertise to multiple high-profile NASA missions, including Cassini, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Curiosity, and New Horizons.

Advancing Astrophotonics, History and Policy

鲍颁贵鈥檚 space research spans pioneering astrophotonics technology, studies in space history and critical analyses in space policy, each offering unique insights into the universe. The within CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, is pushing the boundaries of photonics and astronomy, using tools like photonic lanterns, fiber optics, and hyperspectral imaging to detect cosmic phenomena and address profound questions about dark energy.

Meanwhile, delves into space history, exploring the cultural and scientific impacts of milestones like the Apollo missions and the Space Shuttle program, helping illuminate humanity鈥檚 journey into space.

The contributes to this comprehensive approach with its broad studies of space policy, both domestically and internationally, including examining military space policy and rising space powers. The work involves studying space law, international agreements, and policy frameworks that guide space activities, which is essential for addressing the governance and strategic planning needed for space exploration and utilization.

Pioneering Tomorrow鈥檚 Space Exploration

麻豆原创 is pushing the frontiers of space research and education, tackling today鈥檚 challenges while preparing for the demands of future space missions. As the new space race continues, 鲍颁贵鈥檚 forward-thinking approach will continue to drive progress, inspire new possibilities and expand humanity鈥檚 reach into the universe.

That is the lasting legacy of one of 鲍颁贵鈥檚 original founders, who literally helped name the streets that ring 鲍颁贵鈥檚 main campus. 麻豆原创 celebrates its 60^th anniversary this year 鈥� and Bledsoe has been here for the majority of those years. Bledsoe opened the former Department of History and Political Science in 1968 at what was then Florida Technological University (FTU).

Fifty-five years later, the groundwork laid by Bledsoe has evolved into a world-recognized School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs.聽 And over the decades Bledsoe has picked up seven college and university teaching and advising awards as he took on administrative roles including department chair.

Bledsoe prefers to measure his success, though, in the thousands of thriving careers he鈥檚 helped nurture across the decades. Countless students have crossed his classroom to soak up his expertise in areas including international law, environmental law, space law, world political geography and global perspectives.

鈥淢y legacy is my students who have graduated,鈥� he says. 鈥淎s long as they鈥檙e better at the end than they were at the beginning, then I think that we鈥檝e accomplished something.”

While today鈥檚 麻豆原创 looks nothing like its origins, the vision of Bledsoe and early founders remains unchanged: 鈥淓mphasizing the individual is how you optimize the learning experience.鈥�

Forging the Foundation for a University of the Future

Bledsoe鈥檚 story began at 鲍颁贵鈥檚 inception. Back in the mid 鈥�60s, Bledsoe was a doctoral candidate at the University of Florida and decided to apply to a brand-new university in Orlando 鈥� Florida Technological University. He jumped on the opportunity to support a new institution.

When he arrived at FTU in 1968, it was primarily a small, commuter college. When Bledsoe gathered with a small group in a parking lot to form the first Student Government Association, the cops showed up thinking they were up to no good. Needless to say, 麻豆原创 has significantly changed into a busy college town with plenty to do.

Bledsoe was tasked with creating a new political science major that would serve students interested in going to law school. At age 28 and still finishing his Ph.D., he found himself writing the original course catalog and ordering the first library books for the political science major. He also juggled teaching 20 courses and independent studies.

Bledsoe thrived on having the freedom to invent things and lay the groundwork for a new department at a new university: 鈥淲hen FTU opened its doors, we had no tradition. So we invented it. There weren鈥檛 any rules, so we had a lot of freedom to fly by the seat of our pants.鈥�

Those early years were focused on serving his students鈥� needs, regardless of how much he had on his plate. His 鈥渃an do鈥� attitude stayed with him throughout the years as he took on new roles at 麻豆原创.

Occasionally he would field other job offers but 麻豆原创 was home for Bledsoe and he never moved anywhere else. He shared 鲍颁贵鈥檚 commitment to student success and, as the years passed, he enjoyed seeing the fruits of his hard work.

Looking Back on the Evolution of 麻豆原创 鈥� and Onto the Future

麻豆原创 and its neighboring communities are nearly unrecognizable compared to Bledsoe鈥檚 first impressions of FTU. But the pioneer spirit and scrappy attitude of the university鈥檚 early days has outlasted presidents, mascots and buildings.

鈥淎 lot of that initial legacy is still here,鈥� Bledsoe says.

Today, the School of Politics, Security and International Affairs has over 1,200 students while 麻豆原创 is the largest U.S. university by enrollment 鈥� and it wouldn鈥檛 be where it is today without Bledsoe. He is proud of what the school has become and the way it has expanded its reach to the international community.

At the end of the day, Bledsoe鈥檚 hope for 麻豆原创 is that it continues serving the needs of students while empowering them with a lifelong love of learning. And even though he retires this month, his legacy will live on for years to come.

鈥淪howing students that you care motivates them to achieve great things,鈥� Bledsoe says.