Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority Awards More Than $160,000 to Space Education Programs

Photo More than $160,000 in space education grants were awarded to 33 STEM-related programs throughout Oklahoma at the October 8, 2025 OSIDA board meeting.

The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) Board approved more than $160,000 in aerospace education funding on Oct. 8, 2025, to prepare students for the state’s growing space workforce. The investment will support 33 programs across Oklahoma in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

“This investment from the OSIDA Board will directly fuel Oklahoma’s future space industry,” said OSIDA CEO Grayson Ardies. “This is more than just a pipeline for talent, though; it’s designed to ignite a lasting interest that will empower Oklahoma’s future explorers and innovators to continue thriving.”

The grants are for one-time funding only. The established program can be utilized if additional funding is secured in the future. Grant awardees include public and private schools, college and university programs as well as civic organizations and various youth clubs.

Northwest Area Programs:

  • STARBASE Weatherford, $6,929 (supporting the use of 3D printing in space exploration)

Southwest Area Programs:

  • Altus Public Schools, $4,000 (supporting Bulldog Space Explorers, an afterschool space explorers club)
  • Burns Flat-Dill City Public Schools, $7,800 (supporting Burns Flat-Dill City Space Education Program, a program for K-12 students)
  • Duncan Machine Parts, $6,000 (supporting Precision to Space: Orbit Oklahoma, a program for sixth through 12th grade students)
  • Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA), $6,900 (supporting Galaxy: Growing Aerospace Through Youth Robotics, a robotics program)
  • Lawton Public Schools, $4,000 (supporting Space: Mission Makerspace, a program for K-fifth grade students)
  • Merritt Public Schools, $1,800 (supporting Rocket Build & Launch, a program for fifth and sixth grade students)
  • Navajo Public Schools, $3,200 (supporting Navajo Aviation Program, a program for K-12 students)
  • Southwestern Oklahoma State University, $6,000 (supporting NASA Human Rover Challenge)

Central Area Programs:

  • Gerrity 215 Chapter Air Force Association, $10,500 (supporting StellarXplorers –CyberPatriots program, a program for K-12 STEM students)
  • Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma, $4,500 (supporting Space Exploration with Girls Scouts Western Oklahoma)
  • Langston University, $6,500 (supporting the establishment of Langston University’s first collegiate Rocketry & Space Education program)
  • Oklahoma State University, Dr. Andy Arena, $8,000 [supporting STELLAR (STEM Teachers Experience Linking Learners to Aerospace Research), a program for teachers]
  • Oklahoma State University, Dr. Jovette Dew, $3,500 (supporting K-12 STEM students)
  • Putnam City Schools, $2,200 (supporting a mentorship program that pairs elementary school students with high school aviation students)
  • Rose State College, $4,000 (supporting The Galaxy Quest: Summer Space Track, a program for children in first through sixth grade)
  • Stillwater Public Schools, $10,000 (supporting Space and Flight, a program for children in fourth grade)
  • University of Oklahoma Sooner Rover Team, $6,850 (supporting students competing in the 2026 University Rover Challenge)

Northeast Area Programs:

  • Bixby Public Schools, $6,500 (supporting the Spartan Space Initiative, a program for third and fourth grade students)
  • Fort Gibson Public Schools Vision Academy, $850 (supporting the Opportunities for Space program, a program for at-risk/alternative education students)
  • Hilldale Public Schools Hilldale Elementary, $2,500 (supporting the Launching Learning: Model Rocketry and Space program)
  • Oklahoma Union Public Schools (Middle School), $4,400 (supporting Flight Path to the Future: Connecting Weather, Space & Innovation)
  • Perry Public Schools, Perry High School, $1,330 (supporting high schoolers as they design and present sustainable Mars colony prototypes)
  • Perry Public Schools, Perry Upper Elementary, $575 (supporting the Spaced Out Science, a program for fifth grade students)
  • Rejoice Christian School, $3,800 (supporting and expanding the AOPA High School curriculum into a broader aerospace framework)
  • Tulsa Air and Space Museum, $6,000 (supporting Spaceport Tulsa: Mission to Tomorrow, a one-day event for high schoolers)

Southeast Area Programs:

  • Ada City Schools, $4,003 (supporting The Ada Cougars: Beyond the Stars initiative, a program for elementary school students)
  • Durant Public Schools, $3,400 (supporting Flyin’ Lion STEM Outreach Program, a program for K-12 students)
  • Holdenville Public Schools, Ethel Reed Elementary, $5,000 (supporting Ready, Set, Launch, a program for elementary school students)
  • Quinton Public Schools, Quinton Elementary, $2,500 (supporting Mission Discovery: Aerospace week, a program for K-12 students)
  • Valliant Public Schools, Valliant Elementary, $5,000 (supporting Stars and Beyond, a program for K-12 students)
  • Wister Public Schools, $1,735 (supporting Wildcat Aerospace Academy, a program for K-12 students)

Statewide Education Programs:

  • Oklahoma AFA Chapter, $10,000 (supporting the annual StellarXplorers –CyberPatriots celebration/awards banquet and student camps statewide)

“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to support the growth of space education through the implementation of the OSIDA Space Education Grant Program,” said Paula Kedy, Statewide Manager of Aerospace STEM Education. “Schools across Oklahoma are working to foster the knowledge of space through programs that encourage curiosity and high-level thinking skills. By supporting these schools, we are ensuring that Oklahoma students will play an integral role in the growth of space exploration.”