Palm Coast students learn about development on field trip to Lake Nona

15 students from Flagler Palm Coast High School took their classroom to Lake Nona for a day.

The group of juniors and seniors are enrolled in their school’s i3 New Tech Academy, a unique education program that challenges students through collaborative project-based learning.

This year, the students are studying urban planning and development as they work with the City of Palm Coast to design the future of the city’s downtown which includes a Town Center and Innovation District – similar to the Lake Nona’s own Town Center.

From infrastructure to retail space, students learned how Lake Nona has taken shape.

“What we try to do here in Lake Nona is create a variety of spaces that provide authentic experiences,” said Ralph Ireland, Vice President of Development Operations at Tavistock Development Company.

Students toured Pixon Apartments, a mixed-use building with retail and residential, and Boxi Park, an outdoor entertainment venue, where they learned how art, design and programming can bring a location to life.

Click here to watch a video recap of the field trip. Lake Nona wasn’t the group’s only Orlando visit. Earlier this year, students visited Orlando’s Milk District where they learned about city planning and how street art can help enhance a community’s experience.