Pryor Public Schools takes flight with an 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 $6,000 education grant for Pryor Public Schools for an aviation & aeronautics program to increase aviation career opportunity awareness at the high school level with an eventual goal of bringing the program to grades K-12. Pryor has two pilots and an aerospace engineer on staff and are in the 3rd year of the AOPA curriculum.  

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.

“The program implemented by Pryor Public Schools to increase awareness of aviation careers for our high school students is impressive, and imperative to growing the aerospace and aeronautics industries in our state,” said Sen. Marty Quinn, R-Claremore. “I’m thankful for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and their support of our public schools that are thinking outside of the box to expose our students to growing career paths.”

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.

“By providing aviation programs, Pryor Public Schools is making a real difference in the lives of its 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.