Purcell and Lexington were among high schools that recently received grants from the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) for their aviation programs.

Purcell received a $10,000 grant for the purchase of a flight simulator while Lexington received a $7,000 grant for the purchase of equipment.

“It is for the purchase of drones,” superintendent Chad Hall said of the Lexington grant. Hall said Lexington already has a simulator.

Dr. Sheli McAdoo was excited about the grant and shared the news with the Heart of Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce at a luncheon at Mid-America Technology Center last Thursday.

The aviation programs at both schools, as well as schools across the state, are thriving in popularity.

Lexington’s program currently has 51 high school students participating.

Purcell has 12 at the moment but principal Jason Sanders expects the number to increase starting next year.

Instructor Corryn Breidinger teaches junior high science and aviation class 1.

Jack McNeely teaches aviation 2 and 3, Sanders reported.

The simulator will be housed in the high school.

At the August commission meeting they focused on the approval of more than $820,000 in grants for 103 aerospace focused education programs around the state.

Oklahoma ranks first in the nation for high school aerospace education. That distinction is thanks, in part, to the commitment of the ODAA to aerospace curriculum programs across the state. Those programs are training the next generation of pilots, air traffic controllers, maintainers, engineers, and other aviation professionals. The ODAA’s investment is necessary to address the demand for qualified workers in Oklahoma’s second largest and fastest growing industry that generates nearly $44 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 120,000 direct jobs across 1,100 different companies.

“Thanks to the forethought and vision of the Oklahoma Legislature and leadership, we’ve seen a surge in the state’s aerospace industry,” said Grayson Ardies, Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Executive Director. “That enthusiasm has expanded into the classroom and is evident in the number of teachers we see leading the charge to incorporate aerospace curriculum today. We’re excited to see this growth continue and watch the next generation of the aerospace workforce take flight.”     

The majority share of funds is slated to be allocated for critical teaching elements such as flight simulators, training drones and STEM supplies for programs such as the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) “You Can Fly” curriculum.

“It is gratifying to see the aviation programs being implemented across the state through the implementation of ODAA grants.

“From Oklahoma’s smallest high schools to its largest, from airports to universities, and from museums to community workforce centers, students across the state are developing skills that will lead them to post-secondary aviation programs and industry careers,” said Paula Kedy, Statewide Aerospace STEM Education Manager.

“ODAA Aero Education grants provide the impetus necessary for entities to build quality learning experiences for students, and because of the work being done through these remarkable schools and organizations.

“Oklahoma is leading the nation in aerospace education,” she concluded.