Oklahoma teachers take flight with hands-on drone training at OSU
Friday, March 6, 2026
Media Contact: Jeff Hopper | Communications and Media Relations Manager | 405-744-5827 | jeff.hopper@okstate.edu
OSU partners with Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics to host teachers from across the state to learn about exciting new career pathways related to drone technology
Oklahoma boasts a $44 billion aerospace industry that employs approximately 130,000 people statewide and continues to grow at a rapid rate.
The Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education at Oklahoma State University has cemented itself as a leader in uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) research and innovation and has asserted itself as a foundational partner in the fast-growing field.
The institute aids in bridging the gap between academia and industry, creating a highly educated, workforce-ready pipeline of graduates ready to fulfill the expansive needs of Oklahoma’s aerospace industry.
“Our goal is to fulfill our land-grant mission,” said Dr. Jamey Jacob, OAIRE executive director. “We want to be a resource for our partners. By facilitating connections between our state’s educators and aerospace industry partners, we ensure that future members of the workforce are prepared to meet and exceed the needs of this rapidly growing economic sector.”
OAIRE — in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics — recently welcomed nearly 50 educators from across Oklahoma to Stillwater for a two-day professional development event focused on that purpose.
The first day of the event offered teachers the opportunity to meet and interact with industry partners who shared insights into real-world applications for UAS professionals. Speakers highlighted a myriad of emerging career opportunities that are incorporating drone technology in innovative ways, such as real estate photography, crop maintenance, emergency operations response and wildlife monitoring.
Ryan Long, a Marine Corps veteran, Oklahoma Highway Patrol officer and the owner/operator of The Way We Hunt, said the event offered a great opportunity to show teachers how UAS technology is opening new and exciting career pathways.
“Our specialty is wildlife management — anything from deer recovery to herd survey and analysis,” he said. “These are applications that most people don’t think of when discussing UAS, but are truly impactful to both recreationists and conservationists.”
The second day invited educators to get their hands “dirty” by building and flying drones with the help of Pitsco Education, whose mission is to help bring STEM resources and curriculum into every classroom.
Teachers will now be able to take the applicable skills and knowledge back to their classrooms and help their students better understand the design and construction side of UAS.
“This event is an incredible opportunity for teachers, especially those from smaller school districts like ours,” said Jason Burwick, head of the aerospace program for Calera middle and high schools. “The hands-on and networking opportunities will better help teachers provide the knowledge and real-world examples of careers our students can have in the aerospace and UAS industries.”
As aerospace continues to gain ground as one of the state's leading economic sectors — currently second only to energy — Jacob said events such as this and resources such as OAIRE and ODAA are part of Oklahoma’s ongoing emphasis on meeting the growing demand for a skilled workforce.
“The ODAA is extremely grateful to have the opportunity to partner with OAIRE in the development of high-quality programs for Oklahoma teachers,” said Paula Kedy, the statewide aerospace STEM education manager for ODAA. “OAIRE’s commitment to aerospace education is clear. The team works tirelessly to ensure that teachers have the capacity needed to effectively build strong high school aerospace programs. As a result, Dr. Jacob and his team are helping to raise the bar in Oklahoma schools and are ensuring the future of the aerospace workforce.”