Junior Achievement of South Florida Launches Career Exploration Initiative with Augmented Reality

Junior Achievement of South Florida has taken its JA storefront experience to another level with the launch of its Career Exploration initiative! Apollo Middle School in Hollywood were the first to experience this program, and AME's Christine Battles volunteered in the Maritime Storefront, Sea the World. 

The program encompasses a brand-new augmented reality (AR) experience housed in the JA Sea the World Storefront. Upon entering the space, students are immersed in an innovative AR adventure showcasing eight career paths within the yachting and commercial maritime industries. Four of these careers represented paths at sea, while the other four covered on-land opportunities. The experience sparked curiosity about the diverse roles in the maritime world. 

With iPads in hand, the students spent their time in the space solving riddles and uncovering clues scattered across the nine walls of the storefront. This interactive, tech-driven approach kept students engaged while facilitating an unforgettable learning experience. Seeing the students so immersed in the activity was a proud moment for volunteers, showing the powerful impact of merging technology with education.

Since its inception in 2018, the Sea the World Maritime Storefront has grown into a hub for career exploration in the maritime sector. Thanks to this initiative, thousands of students gain exposure to career opportunities while connecting with the maritime industry. It’s become a movement that's setting the standard of inspiring students to explore and join our workforce.

This success wouldn’t be possible without the support of many dedicated partners and sponsors, including: Advanced Mechanical Enterprises (AME), AERE Docking Solutions, Cliff Berry, Inc., Elite Marine A/C, Global Marine Travel, IGY Marinas, King Ocean Services, Marine Industries Association of South Florida, MarineMax, Maritime Professional Training, OneWater Yacht Group, Palmdale Oil Company, Pier Sixty-Six, Roscioli Yachting Center, Inc., RPM Diesel Engine Co., Inc., Safe Harbor Lauderdale Marine Center, SEACOR Island Lines, The Triton News, Thomas Marine Systems Inc., Universal Marine Center, Wards Marine Electric, Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi, and Wright Maritime Group.

Interested in making a difference? Volunteering opportunities abound, whether as an individual or as part of an organization team-building activity. Join us in empowering the next generation, and help us continue setting the standard for educational innovation! ??‍??