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Oklahoma School of Science and Math Secures Aviation Education Grant

Monday, August 12, 2019

OKLAHOMA CITY –  Thirty-nine organizations were awarded Aerospace and Aviation Education Program grants or contracts totaling over $299,235 from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC). The record amount of funds will be used to bring more school-aged children in Oklahoma to STEM careers, particularly those in aerospace and aviation.  The funding was approved by the Commission at their most recent meeting.

The Commission approved an education contract for OSSM Middle School Summer Math & Science Workshops.  This program will take place in July of 2020.  The existing Middle School Summer Math and Science Workshop program is looking to expand their four one-day Math Workshops and three one-day Science Workshops to include four additional one-day workshops focusing on STEM careers in aviation/aerospace industries in Oklahoma. This will include learning about the skills needed for aviation related jobs and engineering work done in the aviation/aerospace industry in Oklahoma. It is estimated 80 students will participate.  The requested amount was $2,500; staff recommendation was $1,500.

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 aerospace and aviation grant program, which 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.

Director of Aeronautics Victor Bird said aerospace supports 206,000 jobs with an average salary of $73,300 annually; “After a two-year study concluded in 2017, we learned that the Aviation and Aerospace sector in Oklahoma supports $43.7 billion in annual statewide economic activity. A competent workforce, which includes our desperate need for aerospace engineers, will be needed to sustain this industry”.

The nationally recognized program enjoys a positive reputation as one of the most robust aviation education programs among state aviation agencies.  Since FY2001, it has awarded over $2.8M in aerospace and aviation education grants.

“OAC is proud to assist the Oklahoma School of Science and Math in their mission and we congratulate them as a grant recipient of our aviation education grant program. We look forward to seeing the progress they achieve with their students,” said Adam Fox, aviation program manager and aviation education coordinator for the Commission.

Last Modified on Apr 13, 2023