ADA – The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC) has awarded East Central University a $1,750 grant to help facilitate education in the fields of aerospace and aviation.
The funds were administered through the OAC’s Aerospace and Aviation Education Grant Program, which has been active for more than 30 years. ECU was one of 50 state organizations to receive a grant during the OAC’s August meeting.
Grants are for targeted learning programs with direct applications to aerospace and aviation, part of the OAC’s initiative to prepare more state students for STEM-related careers in the industry. STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
ECU’s Institute of Math and Science Education (IMSE) will utilize OAC grant funds to offer a one-day, aviation-based camp next summer, said Dr. David Thornton, ECU assistant professor and IMSE director. The camp is for up to 30 students, accompanied by a teacher, to gain knowledge about careers in aviation and related curriculum offered on the high school level.
The need to steer young minds toward these careers is the force driving the OAC’s investment in students, hopefully guiding them toward becoming pilots, engineers, mechanics, astronauts and scientists, the OAC said in a release.
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