School

Students shadow technicians as part of Step One’s ‘Half-Day with a Pro Program’

Students who earn a completed certificate from the Small Engines Basics course are eligible to attend the 'Half-Day with a Pro Program' to shadow Step One Automotive mechanics in various dealership service shops.

Jared Williams

Add Get The Coast on Google

Back in December, students from the HSU Educational Foundation shadowed Step One Automotive Group technicians for the company’s “Half-Day with a Pro” Program.

Step One Automotive Group is one of the many stakeholders for the HSU Foundation, which provides STEM learning experiences to local students for free.

Step One Master Mechanic, Ken Whitehead, is the lead instructor for the Small Engines Basics, Cam & Timing, and Transmission courses provided to Okaloosa school-aged students all year long. Students begin as introductory learners of engine mechanics and can advance to the higher skilled courses by graduating through the program.

Students who earn a completed certificate from the Small Engines Basics course are eligible to attend the ‘Half-Day with a Pro Program‘ to shadow Step One Automotive mechanics in various dealership service shops.

Step One Technician Lab inside the HSU Education Institute.

Students have the option to choose from sixteen Step One brands to shadow on Saturdays from 9am-noon. Automotive brands such as Maserati, Ford, Kia, Cadillac, and many more.

Step One Fixed Operations Director, Shon Kingrey, schedules the student’s service shop requests around the technician’s availability.

“The best part about this whole program is watching the kids complete the Hsu Innovation Institute Small Engine Course and then shadow one of our professionals and become inspired by their new learned skills,” said Kingrey.

“Our youth participants gain invaluable STEM learning experiences because of the tremendous leading support and outreach of stakeholders like Step One Automotive Group!,” wrote the HSU Education Institute.

PROMOTION

Join the conversation...Cancel reply

Continue reading 👇

Business

Step One Automotive Group opens new Kia dealership on Beal Parkway in Fort Walton Beach

Giving Back

Forever Warriors launches $40,000 grant program for military support initiatives

Sponsored

Mobile breast ultrasound screenings offered at Subaru Fort Walton Beach

Giving Back

Step One Subaru Fort Walton Beach donates $26,000 to local dog rescue

aherrnreiter58 commented on Okaloosa, NWFSC collaborate to produce commemorative SS United States coins from ship’s salvaged aluminum

“My family and I crossed the Atlantic in 1961 on the United States. I wish that they could have saved her! I think the coin should be made available as...”

Respond

Mister Fishwhistle commented on City of Destin begins Hurricane Isaias debris collection Thursday, starting in West Destin

“From the Public Comment Dock: Has My Branch Pile Been Snubbed? Dearest readers, Today’s question: if the debris truck passes one’s house without collecting everything, must one immediately demand an...”

Denise commented on WordroW: October 16, 2026

“fun game”

Dawn Hamilton commented on 10 candidates tackle budget, services and spending cap at Fort Walton Beach City Council forum

“Where can we find your list of all 10 questions?”

Cheryl Malagday commented on FPL: Restoration ‘essentially complete’ in Okaloosa and Walton counties after Hurricane Isaias

“They've done a great job. Let's consider burying lines from here on out”

Anne Porter commented on WordroW: October 14, 2026

“Having been without TV since Isiasis, give us an update on Spectrim’s progress restoring cable, please,”

George commented on FPL: Restoration ‘essentially complete’ in Okaloosa and Walton counties after Hurricane Isaias

“It is Wednesday morning Oct.14 and we have a downed electric pole in our front yard in incorporated Okaloosa county. So no thanks from us. We reported it when it...”

Shirley Allen commented on FPL: Restoration ‘essentially complete’ in Okaloosa and Walton counties after Hurricane Isaias

“Thank you to all the linemen who left their homes to ensure those of us affected by this hurricane got our power back. I know they worked long hours and...”

TonyG commented on All Sports Association’s Casino Night returns Oct. 22 with $10,000 Raffle Royale grand prize

“I attended last year's casino night and had a great time. The food was delicious and the games were fun. Its also cool having an event in the Legendary show...”

Robert English commented on FPL on track to restore power in Okaloosa by end of day Monday, revises estimate for Santa Rosa and Escambia

“Ok, but to ignore the Chelco outages in an article gives a false impression on recovery of power outages. If you had the info, why wouldn't you report a more...”