The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) is investing in the state’s future aviation and aerospace professionals. The August Commission meeting focused on the approval of more than $820,000 in grants for 103 aerospace focused education programs around the state.
Oklahoma ranks first in the nation for high school aerospace education. That distinction is thanks, in part, to the commitment of the ODAA to aerospace curriculum programs across the state. Those programs are training the next generation of pilots, air traffic controllers, maintainers, engineers, and other aviation professionals. The ODAA’s investment is necessary to address the demand for qualified workers in Oklahoma’s second largest and fastest growing industry that generates nearly $44 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 120,000 direct jobs across 1,100 different companies.
“Thanks to the forethought and vision of the Oklahoma Legislature and leadership, we’ve seen a surge in the state’s aerospace industry,” said Grayson Ardies, Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Executive Director. “That enthusiasm has expanded into the classroom and is evident in the number of teachers we see leading the charge to incorporate aerospace curriculum today. We’re excited to see this growth continue and watch the next generation of the aerospace workforce take flight!”
The majority share of funds is slated to be allocated for critical teaching elements such as flight simulators, training drones, and STEM supplies for programs such as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) “You Can Fly” curriculum. More than $590,000 will be awarded to 74 programs across the state for “You Can Fly.”
Nearly $80,000 will be awarded to seven organizations for camps and workshops focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education including engineering, mathematics, drones, aviation and aerospace.
Six organizations focused on additional education, outreach and workforce development will receive about $60,000 in funds to help cover costs associated with STEM programs including flight lab creation, flight simulation software, space education and work-readiness programs focused on placing people in aerospace and advanced manufacturing jobs.
Another six organizations will receive $48,000 to attend and participate in competitions and events. Awardees include STEM educational groups focusing primarily on robotics and robotics competitions as well as engineering-based groups concentrated on engineering fairs and competitions.
Other school programs will receive the last $42,000 for various educational needs including supporting another statewide aerospace curriculum called “Choose Aerospace” which introduces students to the concepts of aviation maintenance training and prepares them to become A&P mechanics, along with general aerospace teacher training, after school drone flying clubs, a wind tunnel for a university-level course, and an electronic troubleshooting training system.
“It is gratifying to see the aviation programs being implemented across the state through the implementation of ODAA grants. From Oklahoma’s smallest high schools to its largest, from airports to universities, and from museums to community workforce centers, students across the state are developing skills that will lead them to post-secondary aviation programs and industry careers,” said Paula Kedy, Statewide Aerospace STEM Education Manager. “ODAA Aero Education grants provide the impetus necessary for entities to build quality learning experiences for students, and because of the work being done through these remarkable schools and organizations, Oklahoma is leading the nation in aerospace education.”
The state’s aerospace education program is divided into five sectors. Each program receiving an aerospace education grant and its award amount follows.
Northwest Area Programs:
- Chisholm Public Schools, $500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Goodwell Public Schools, $4,690 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Guymon Public Schools, $6,200 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Laverne Public Schools, $9,950 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Stafford Air and Space Museum, $30,600 (Additional Education/Outreach Workforce Development)
- Watonga Public Schools, $9,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Weatherford Public Schools, $8,400 (AOPA Curriculum)
Southwest Area Programs:
- Altus Public Schools, $7,000 (Other School Programs)
- Ardmore City Schools, $2,350 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Blair Elementary STEM, $6,098 (Other School Programs)
- Blair Public Schools, $7,175 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Burns Flat – Dill City Public Schools, $5,250 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Cache Public Schools, $2,640 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Cameron University, $3,268 (Camps and Workshops)
- Chickasha Public Schools, $8,800 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Davis Public Schools, $9,750 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Elk City Public Schools, $10,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Indiahoma Public Schools, $1,900 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Lawton Public Schools, $12,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Sayre Public Schools, $7,300 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Stratford Public Schools, $9,450 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Stroud Public Schools, $6,300 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Wilson Public Schools, $5,750 (AOPA Curriculum)
Central Area Programs:
- Bethany Public Schools, $9,550 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Choctaw Nicoma Park Schools—Choctaw Elementary, $2,350 (Other School Programs)
- Class Matters, $5,000 (Additional Education/Outreach Workforce Development)
- Cushing Public Schools, $2,490 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Dove Science Academy HS, $2,400 (Other School Programs)
- Dove Science Academy MS, $2,700 (Other School Programs)
- Edmond Public Schools – Memorial HS, $12,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Edmond Public Schools – Santa Fe HS, $11,600 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Guthrie – Edmond Regional Airport, $2,900 (Camps and Workshops)
- Lexington Public Schools, $7,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Mid-Del Technology Center, $11,100 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Moore Public Schools – Moore HS, $4,175 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Moore Public Schools – Southmoore HS, $4,175 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Moore Public Schools – Westmoore HS, $4,800 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Mustang Public Schools, $8,450 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Newcastle Public Schools, $4,700 (AOPA Curriculum)
- OKBEST Robotics, $1,500 (Competitions and Events)
- Norman Public Schools – Oklahoma Aviation Academy, $10,750 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Oklahoma Baptist University, $10,375 (Other School Programs)
- Oklahoma Christian School, $9,200 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Oklahoma City Public Schools – John Marshall Enterprise High School, $11,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- P91-CHASE, $4,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Purcell Public Schools, $10,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Putnam City Public Schools, $12,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Shawnee Public Schools, $7,100 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Stillwater Public Schools, $4,650 (AOPA Curriculum)
- True Sky Credit Union Foundation/ Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, $10,000 (Camps and Workshops)
- Yukon Public Schools, $5,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
Northeast Area Programs:
- Bixby Public Schools, $7,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Bristow Public Schools, $10,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Broken Arrow Public Schools Vanguard Academy, $11,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Claremore Public Schools, $12,225 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Hilldale Public Schools, $11,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Inola Public Schools, $7,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Jenks Public Schools, $13,300 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Ketchum Public Schools, $12,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Mounds Public Schools, $3,750 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Oilton Public School, $5,245 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Okemah Public Schools, $8,400 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Owasso Public Schools – Pamela Hodson Elementary, $3,000 (Other School Programs)
- Pawhuska Public Schools, $10,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Perry Public Schools, $6,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Ponca City Regional Airport, $7,500 (Camps and Workshops)
- Pryor Public Schools, $12,750 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Rejoice Christian School, $12,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Sapulpa Public Schools, $10,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Tahlequah Public Schools, $7,580 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Tri-County Technology Center, $9,400 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Tulsa Community WorkAdvance – Madison Strategies Group, $10,000 (Additional Education/Outreach Workforce Development)
- Tulsa East Central High School, $8,750 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance – Space Week, $5,000 (Additional Education/Outreach Workforce Development)
- Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance – STEM Shoppe, $2,000 (Additional Education/Outreach Workforce Development)
- Tulsa Technology Center, $1,600 (Other School Programs)
- Union Public Schools, $14,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Vinita Public Schools, $8,700 (AOPA Curriculum)
- William Bradford Christian School, $1,870 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Wyandotte Public Schools, $9,625 (AOPA Curriculum)
Southeast Area Programs:
- Ada City Schools, $11,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Broken Bow Public Schools, $11,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Byng Public Schools, $11,750 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Durant Public Schools, $10,500 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Haworth Public Schools, $10,000 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Hugo Public Schools, $7,200 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Kingston Public Schools, $7,450 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Moyers Public Schools, $7,250 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Silo Public Schools, $3,200 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Southeastern Oklahoma State University, $10,000 (Camps and Workshops)
- Tishomingo Public Schools, $7,600 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Tupelo Public Schools, $3,290 (AOPA Curriculum)
- Wright City Public Schools, $5,850 (AOPA Curriculum)
Statewide Education Programs:
- Choose Aerospace, $6,600 (Other School Programs)
- FIRES Innovation Science & Technology Accelerator, $5,000 (Camps and Workshops)
- FIRST Robotics Competition Program, $7,500 (Competitions and Events)
- KISS Robotics, $10,500 (Competitions and Events)
- Lady Liberty A-26 Squadron, $5,600 (Additional Education/Outreach Workforce Development)
- Oklahoma Engineering Foundation, $4,000 (Competitions and Events)
- Oklahoma Science and Engineering Foundation FIRST Lego League, $5,000 (Competitions and Events)
- Oklahoma State University Speedfest, $19,650 (Competitions and Events)
- University of Oklahoma – Sooner Flight Academy, $40,000 (Camps and Workshops)
