University of Florida · Engineering Innovation Institute

THE FUTURE
OF SPACE
STARTS HERE

Innovating 4 Space (i4S) is the nation's premier space innovation course — where cross-disciplinary teams tackle live industry challenges using Mission Model Canvas, Human-Centered Design, and Lean LaunchPad methodology.

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8+
Industry Partners
100%
Live Mission Challenges
NASA
T2U Integration
∞
Possible Futures
Dr. Sierra Pollard
Dr. Sierra Pollard Spollard1994@ufl.edu Engineering Innovation Institute University of Florida
A Letter from the Professor

Built to Bold the Future

Innovating for Space was built from a simple belief: the future of the space economy will be led by bold, collaborative thinkers who understand how to turn possibility into action.

I created this course to unite engineering, business, design, and strategy around one shared mission — building solutions that matter in the rapidly expanding space ecosystem. We are living in a defining moment. Commercial launch is accelerating. Space-enabled technologies are shaping life on Earth.

Inside i4S, students engage directly with industry mentors, conduct meaningful beneficiary interviews, validate assumptions, and develop low-fidelity prototypes grounded in research and feasibility.

Workforce development embedded in collaboration
Technical rigor strengthened by design thinking
Cross-disciplinary talent prepared to lead
Program Architecture

Designed for Real Impact

Not hypothetical case studies. Not simulated challenges. Actual aerospace problems from organizations shaping the next era of space.

01

Cross-Disciplinary Teams

Students from engineering, business, journalism, arts, and sciences work together — mirroring the realities of modern innovation environments. Each discipline brings a different lens: technical depth, market awareness, creative exploration.

02

Live Industry Challenges

Partners bring authentic problem statements from aerospace, defense, research, and commercialization sectors. Students tackle mission needs, emerging technologies, operational barriers, and market opportunities that do not yet have clear answers.

03

Mission Model Canvas

The framework that transforms student discovery into strategic thinking. Teams define beneficiaries, value creation, key activities, essential partners, and mission deployment pathways — iterating through discovery until the concept is mission-ready.

04

Beneficiary Interviews

One of the most transformative parts of i4S — students move beyond classroom assumptions and engage directly with professionals. They build a professional network that extends well beyond the semester.

05

NASA T2U Integration

Graduate students engage with NASA technologies through the Technology Transfer University program — connecting universities with federally developed patents. Students gain direct exposure to commercialization pathways and technology evaluation.

06

Value Proposition Design

Students learn to articulate what makes a solution matter — who it serves, what pain it relieves, what gain it creates. Grounded in stakeholder discovery and iterated through real feedback from industry partners and mentors.

Methodology

Built on Proven Frameworks

i4S introduces the Lean LaunchPad methodology, Design Thinking, Systems Thinking, and the Mission Model Canvas as evidence-based approaches to guide how students test assumptions, challenge early thinking, and refine solution concepts over time.

Throughout the semester, student teams iteratively form hypotheses, test assumptions through real interviews, validate or invalidate early thinking through direct discovery, and adjust their strategic approach based on what is learned.

The semester culminates in formal team presentations delivered to company representatives and faculty reviewers — mirroring real-world innovation environments.

Lean LaunchPad Design Thinking Systems Thinking Mission Model Canvas Value Prop Canvas Human-Centered Design
Mission Model Canvas
Key Partners
Key Activities
Value Proposition
Beneficiaries
Key Resources
Deployment Channels
Mission Achievement
Cost Structure
Mission Funding
Unfair Advantage
Design Sprints

3–5 day Design Sprints are incorporated throughout the course to strengthen creativity, accelerate problem-solving, and deepen the use of design thinking under time constraints.

Experiential Learning

A Semester That Transforms

Week 1–2

Industry Challenge Launch

Partners present live problem statements. Students receive the Challenge Brief and begin stakeholder mapping and early research into the challenge environment.

Week 3–6

Beneficiary Discovery

Teams conduct professional interviews, test assumptions, and refine their Mission Model Canvas. Weekly lessons-learned presentations drive accountability and iteration.

Midterm

Progress Review

10-minute business-focused presentations to industry partners, faculty, and guests. Q&A session requires teams to defend their thinking and receive professional feedback.

Final

Final Pitch + Portfolio

Formal concept presentations with prototype demonstration to industry partners, faculty, and external stakeholders. Plus a 10–15 page research portfolio documenting the full journey.

Site Tours

Students visit industry facilities, innovation spaces, and partner environments — connecting classroom work to the real environments where space-industry decisions are made.

NASA T2U Program

Graduate students engage with NASA-developed patents and innovations — evaluating technology commercialization pathways and the strategic application of federally developed innovation.

Open to UG + Grad

Co-listed undergraduate and graduate offering. All students share core expectations; graduate students engage at a deeper level through expanded analysis and advanced deliverables.

Industry Partners

Your Challenge.
Their Mission.

i4S invites industry partners to step directly into a dynamic learning environment where students are actively trained to think through the complexity of today's aerospace challenges.

Partners gain fresh perspectives, emerging talent, and early-stage ideas shaped through structured research and systems thinking. Participation becomes a chance to shape emerging talent, contribute to innovation education, and witness the energy that happens when ambitious students are trusted with real challenges.

Become a Partner
01

Day One Presentation

Introduce your organization and live problem statement. Give students mission context, current barriers, and a clear understanding of the challenge space.

02

Challenge Brief

A 2–3 page overview outlining the problem space, known barriers, and relevant context. Gives students a strong research starting point.

03

Mid-Semester Engagement

Attend the midterm session to hear early concepts, respond to developing ideas, and provide feedback before the final push.

04

Final Pitch Participation

Hear final concept presentations, provide live professional feedback, and see how structured innovation frameworks produce mission-aware thinking.

Current & Past Industry Partners
Blue Origin
Raytheon Technologies
Collins Aerospace
Amazon Leo
Sierra Space
SFA
Space Grove
T2U · NASA
For Students

Launch Your Career

Open to any sophomore-level or above student, any major. If you want to work in the space economy — or innovate within any complex industry — this course was built for you.

🛰

Real Industry Network

You won't just learn about the space industry — you'll meet it. Direct engagement with professionals from Blue Origin, Raytheon, Collins Aerospace, NASA, and more builds a network that lasts beyond graduation.

🧭

Strategic Innovation Skills

Master the Mission Model Canvas, Value Proposition design, Lean LaunchPad methodology, and Human-Centered Design — the same frameworks used by leading space ventures and technology companies.

🎤

Executive Communication

Weekly presentations, mid-semester reviews, and a final pitch to industry judges build professional communication and presentation discipline. You'll leave knowing how to defend your thinking under pressure.

🔬

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

Work alongside students from engineering, business, journalism, arts, and science. Learn to translate across disciplines — a critical skill in modern innovation environments where no mission is solved in a silo.

Prerequisites
Sophomore Standing

Any major welcome. No aerospace background required.

Offered As
Undergraduate + Graduate

Co-listed course with advanced graduate requirements.

Home
UF Engineering Innovation

University of Florida, Gainesville.

Course in Action

See i4S Live

Ready to Launch

Join the Mission

Together, we are cultivating leaders who will shape the next era of aerospace innovation. Whether you're a student ready to level up or an organization with a challenge worth solving — i4S is where you belong.

Contact Dr. Pollard UF Engineering
Contact
Dr. Sierra Pollard
Engineering Innovation Institute · University of Florida