Paula, the agency’s aerospace and aviation education staff representative, told the commission on Dec. 10 that education initiatives across Oklahoma are expanding and that the agency is beginning to see early outcomes from the AOPA high‑school curriculum and related activities.

Paula described a "Fly Forward" search‑and‑rescue drone event at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater that brought together 35 high schools. Each team completed three timed drone missions (downed hiker, snake‑bite victim, overturned kayaker); a small school from Wilson, Oklahoma won the state competition. She said the agency also ran a flight simulation state championship and that more than 3,100 students in Oklahoma schools sat for a general aviation test tied to the AOPA curriculum.

Paula provided preliminary outcome figures from teacher reports and early program tracking: 147 students have enrolled or been accepted to postsecondary aviation programs; 64 students have passed private‑pilot written exams; 59 passed Part 107 (commercial drone certification); 61 students have begun flight training; and 19 students completed private‑pilot certification. She cautioned that these are early, partial data points because many programs are still in early high‑school years and long‑term tracking is incomplete.

The commission and staff discussed outreach to rural districts, partnerships with universities (OSU and Southeastern) and future regional events, including a Southern Oklahoma student aero day planned for March 26. Paula said the agency is working to improve longitudinal data so that it can better report program completion and workforce outcomes over time.

Paula’s presentation was informational; no formal action was required or taken.