Cameron University to host Aerospace Engineering and Math Academy with education grant from the Aeronautics Commission

OKLAHOMA CITY – Fifty organizations were awarded Aerospace and Aviation Education Program grants totaling over $365,000 at the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission’s (OAC) August meeting. Grants are for targeted learning programs that have a direct application to aerospace and aviation for primary through post-secondary education. The grant funds are part of the agency’s initiative to give more Oklahoma young people access to STEM careers in the aerospace and aviation industry.

The Commission approved a $2,000 education grant for Cameron University for a 5-day “Aerospace Engineering & Applied Math Summer Academy” that will include an introduction to the principles of aerospace engineering and mathematics to middle-school girls through activities such as designing and building rockets and a trip to the Oklahoma Science Museum.  

“I am excited by the opportunity this grant will provide in expanding the educational horizons of our students. Our community seeks to promote engineering as a future opportunity and this will help that mission,” said Sen. John Michael Montgomery, R-Lawton.

The Aerospace and Aviation Education Grant Program has been awarding aviation education grants for over 30 years. Charged with the mission by state statute, the Commission fosters and encourages students to consider aerospace or aviation as a career. The Commission’s grant program has years of positive results. The initiative supports the Oklahoma Works project that aims to address the skills gap and connect students to programs that will help build the workforce of Oklahoma’s second-largest industry.

“I’m very glad that Cameron University received this well-deserved grant to help introduce middle school girls from across the state to the aerospace and aviation industries,” said Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton. “It’s incredibly important to encourage students, especially young women, to pursue STEM careers. I’m glad to see these grants from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission being utilized to reach a group of students that are underrepresented in these fields.”

The OAC’s nationally recognized program enjoys a positive reputation as one of the most robust aviation education programs among state aviation agencies. For the 2021-22 school year, Oklahoma will rank #3 in the country in the number of schools teaching the AOPA curriculum. Since FY2001, the Commission has awarded $4.15 million in aerospace and aviation education grants.

“Cameron University has been a great partner with the Aeronautics Commission and is making a difference in the lives of their students.  We know these educators are providing valuable insight into the potential for a future aviation and aerospace career and we wish them great success with their program” said Paula Kedy, MA. Ed., Aerospace and Aviation Education Coordinator for the Commission.

Watch the full meeting at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfvqUmcWmrY&t=15s.