From the classroom to the clouds

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University’s Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education is helping educators statewide bring aerospace education into their classrooms.

Recently, OAIRE welcomed 52 teachers from across Oklahoma to a two-day, hands-on experience designed to equip high school teachers with the knowledge to build and fly drones.

“One of the pillars of OSU’s land-grant mission is outreach and education,” said Natalie Noles, OAIRE’s business operations and workforce development program manager. “As the state’s leader in aerospace, we want to use our expertise to get drones in the hands of anyone who wants to learn and get them excited about aerospace.”

Teachers spent the first day learning the intricacies of how to build and deconstruct a drone from the ground up with the assistance of OAIRE engineers.

The second day was highlighted by the educators flying drones and learning proper piloting skills, as well as how to teach their students to pilot drones once they return to their respective classrooms.

“We want this experience to not only be educational, but fun too,” said Chris Swan, engineering and flight operations manager for OAIRE. “It’s not just about teaching the technical skills, but giving them the confidence to take this experience back to their classrooms and teach their students. It’s about showing them that building a drone isn’t scary or something to be afraid of. Whether it’s a career involving drones or any aerospace career, it’s about getting young people excited about coming into the aerospace industry.” 

This visit marks the third year that OAIRE has hosted the workshop for educators from districts who’ve implemented the aerospace curriculum made available by a partnership between the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

There are 116 schools across Oklahoma that have implemented the “You Can Fly” high school curriculum, cementing Oklahoma’s spot as the nation’s leader in the program’s implementation for the third consecutive year.

“As an alumna, I enjoy coming back to Stillwater to see what OSU is doing and use that to inspire my program and better prepare my students for college,” said Dr. Jenny Peters, aviation, aerospace and physics teacher at Pryor High School. “I do believe it is my mission [to perpetuate OSU’s land-grant mission]. I feel like there’s been a slow awakening to how common and how useful drones are in a variety of applications, and I enjoy helping prepare a workforce to meet those growing needs.”

The experts at OAIRE recognize the importance of the aerospace industry and aerospace education in Oklahoma. As leaders in those spaces, OAIRE is constantly trying to identify and develop different areas they can directly impact one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.

“We’re currently developing an initiative we’re calling 77 counties in 77 weeks,” Noles said. “We hope to connect with leaders in all 77 counties and help educate their residents on aviation and aerospace in Oklahoma. We’re also hosting a drone search and rescue event in the near future where teachers from across the state have the opportunity to bring their students to Stillwater and participate in a real-life search and rescue scenario.

“We consider it our duty to spread awareness on how important aerospace is to society and how it impacts our daily lives in a number of ways, and then have the opportunity to bridge the gap between education and industry in those same areas.”

Oklahoma State University’s Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education is helping educators statewide bring aerospace education into their classrooms.

Recently, OAIRE welcomed 52 teachers from across Oklahoma to a two-day, hands-on experience designed to equip high school teachers with the knowledge to build and fly drones.

“One of the pillars of OSU’s land-grant mission is outreach and education,” said Natalie Noles, OAIRE’s business operations and workforce development program manager. “As the state’s leader in aerospace, we want to use our expertise to get drones in the hands of anyone who wants to learn and get them excited about aerospace.”

Teachers spent the first day learning the intricacies of how to build and deconstruct a drone from the ground up with the assistance of OAIRE engineers.

The second day was highlighted by the educators flying drones and learning proper piloting skills, as well as how to teach their students to pilot drones once they return to their respective classrooms.

“We want this experience to not only be educational, but fun too,” said Chris Swan, engineering and flight operations manager for OAIRE. “It’s not just about teaching the technical skills, but giving them the confidence to take this experience back to their classrooms and teach their students. It’s about showing them that building a drone isn’t scary or something to be afraid of. Whether it’s a career involving drones or any aerospace career, it’s about getting young people excited about coming into the aerospace industry.” 

This visit marks the third year that OAIRE has hosted the workshop for educators from districts who’ve implemented the aerospace curriculum made available by a partnership between the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

There are 116 schools across Oklahoma that have implemented the “You Can Fly” high school curriculum, cementing Oklahoma’s spot as the nation’s leader in the program’s implementation for the third consecutive year.

“As an alumna, I enjoy coming back to Stillwater to see what OSU is doing and use that to inspire my program and better prepare my students for college,” said Dr. Jenny Peters, aviation, aerospace and physics teacher at Pryor High School. “I do believe it is my mission [to perpetuate OSU’s land-grant mission]. I feel like there’s been a slow awakening to how common and how useful drones are in a variety of applications, and I enjoy helping prepare a workforce to meet those growing needs.”

The experts at OAIRE recognize the importance of the aerospace industry and aerospace education in Oklahoma. As leaders in those spaces, OAIRE is constantly trying to identify and develop different areas they can directly impact one of the state’s fastest-growing industries.

“We’re currently developing an initiative we’re calling 77 counties in 77 weeks,” Noles said. “We hope to connect with leaders in all 77 counties and help educate their residents on aviation and aerospace in Oklahoma. We’re also hosting a drone search and rescue event in the near future where teachers from across the state have the opportunity to bring their students to Stillwater and participate in a real-life search and rescue scenario.

“We consider it our duty to spread awareness on how important aerospace is to society and how it impacts our daily lives in a number of ways, and then have the opportunity to bridge the gap between education and industry in those same areas.”