Boeing has announced it will give a $100,000 grant to the Oklahoma Aviation Academy, a program within the Norman, Oklahoma, public school system aimed at training high school students for careers in aviation and aerospace.

Representatives from Boeing attended the Norman Public Schools Board of Education’s regular meeting to announce the grant. The company has previously supported the school district’s aviation program since it began in 2018. The grant is part of a wider program at Boeing to support STEM education and promote aviation programs in schools.

“Boeing is proud to support Norman Public Schools and the Oklahoma Aviation Academy,” said Alexandra Capellupo, director of Boeing E-7 Korea and Turkey. “As a leading global aerospace manufacturer, developing STEM excellence and future aviation talent in the state of Oklahoma is a high priority for Boeing, and we are excited to see how the OAA creates the next generation of aviators, innovators and aerospace professionals.”

The program seeks to capitalize on the Norman school district’s location to provide career opportunities for students by guiding them toward higher education and employment possibilities with partners in the industry.

Among the advantages the aviation program offers is college credit. Students can complete semesters of coursework and earn transferable credits to participating universities, colleges, and technical schools. Boeing said the Oklahoma Aviation Academy's academic program “is the ideal platform for entering the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering or the School of Aviation Studies at the University of Oklahoma.”

The program offers a range of other opportunities for students, including graduating with a private pilot certificate and two years of coursework toward a bachelor’s degree in aviation. The academy also supports students pursuing computer science, engineering, and technical careers.