Drumright Public Schools takes flight 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 $5,000 education grant for Drumright Public Schools for the “Drumright Takes Flight” program. The program implements the AOPA curriculum for 9th and 10th-graders teaches aviation to over 400 students district-wide with various activities for PreK – 8th-grade.  

“Helping spark an interest in STEM, science, technology, engineering and math, can lead our Drumright students into some of the best paying career opportunities out there,” said Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow. “I really appreciate the efforts of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, helping the dreams of so many Oklahoma students take flight.”

“I’m proud of the hard work that Drumright Public Schools put into the “Drumright Takes Flight” program,” said Rep. Ty Burns, R-Pawnee. “Aerospace and Aviation education programs are preparing our students for the jobs of the future, and this program will put many of our students on the path to success in the aerospace industry.”

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.

“Thank you to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission for their generous grant to Drumright Public Schools,” said Rep. John Talley, House District 33. “This is an exciting program for our young students that introduces them to aerospace careers, and I look forward to seeing how much they learn!”

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.

“The Drumright Public School District has taken steps to make a real difference in the lives of their students.  We know that these educators are providing students with 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.