Durant Public Schools STEM Director Zac Morgan welcomed community members to the grand opening of the school’s new aviation laboratory on Thursday.

The school district is entering its fifth year of program implementation, which offers a pathway of aviation coursework designed to prepare students for careers in aerospace and aeronautics, Oklahoma’s second-leading industry.

The new laboratory was developed in partnership with the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics through the department’s “Classroom and Laboratory Improvement Grant Program.”

Morgan introduced Durant Superintendent Mark Moring, who spoke about the importance of providing college and career readiness programs for students and expressed his pride in the aviation program and its impact on Durant students.

Senator David Bullard, R-Durant, and the ODAA’s Statewide Manager for Aerospace STEM Education Paula Kedy, both commended the district for its commitment to aerospace education and for its leadership in STEM education.

“We are so pleased with the work of Durant Public Schools,” said Kedy. “It is clear that they understand the importance of preparing students for career opportunities in Oklahoma’s growing aerospace industry.”

This year, Durant students will have the opportunity to build an aircraft through the Tango Flight program as one of only six districts in Oklahoma that will offer the aircraft structure and assembly program in 2025-2026.

At the conclusion of the event, the district unveiled its new “Flyin’ Lion” Foundation, a nonprofit foundation designed to provide flight training scholarships and post-secondary aviation scholarships for students.

The Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Industry comprises 1,100 aerospace companies or organizations operating within the state, generating nearly $44 billion in annual economic activity.

This sector stands as the second-largest and fastest-growing economic engine in Oklahoma. The overall $44 billion is divided across three key segments: military aviation and defense ($19.3 billion); off-airport aviation and aerospace businesses ($13.9 billion); and the 108 commercial and general aviation airports ($10.6 billion).

The industry supports 206,000 total jobs; 120,000 of those being direct employees with an average annual salary of $73,300. Additionally, Oklahoma boasts 10,000 pilots and more than 5,700 registered aircraft. Notably, 95% of the state’s population lives within a 30-minute drive of a jet-capable airport.

Featured image credited to Durant Public Schools