High school aerospace programs were the focus of a panel discussion April 25 at the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s Aerospace Council meeting.

Sponsored by Atlas School, the meeting was held at Gradient, a local innovation hub that recently opened a $40 million facility.

Crystal Maguire, executive director of Choose Aerospace and the Aviation Technician Education Council, moderated the panel, which featured Gina Wilson of East Central High School, Jenny Peters of Pryor Public Schools and Brett Campbell of Union Public Schools.

Organized in 2020, Choose Aerospace is a nonprofit partnership whose mission is address one of the biggest threats to continued industry growth: the availability of a diverse, qualified technical workforce. 

A former aerospace engineer at Spirit AeroSystems, Peters left her job to come to Pryor school district, where she serves as an aviation/aerospace instructor.

“I’ve always had a passion for the next generation and their education and what it takes to get them ready for you all to hire them,” she said.

Of the 13 core programs offered by Choose Aerospace, 10 of have completed by East Central’s third-year students,  Wilson said.

“One of the reasons I think we are at 10 of 13 is due to the aerospace partners who are coming in and doing labs and allowing us to do field trips,” she said. “I don’t know if you all understand the impact of your companies coming and doing labs with us. It really gives a hands-on perspective to the online curriculum. It really brings it to life…”

Diversity was among the panel’s topics. Of the roughly 1,100 students at East Central High School, 65% are Hispanic, Wilson said.

Of the 41 students studying aerospace there, 24 are Hispanic and 15 are female, she said.

“For those businesses looking to diversify your workforce,” Wilson said. “East Central High School does have that population, and we are preparing them to walk into your doors.”

The Tulsa Regional Chamber launched the Aerospace Council in 2020 to provide a forum to share best practices within the aerospace and defense industry, and to provide networking opportunities for industry professionals. The Council meets quarterly at local aerospace employers and educational facilities.

For more information about the Aerospace Council, please call Brien Thorstenberg, the Chamber's Vice President of economic development, at 918-560-0231.