FAA Awards $231,000 in STEM-Outreach Grants

Continuing its efforts to reach the next generation, the Federal Aviation Administration awarded $231,000 in grants on Monday to support Science, Technology, Engineering and Math—or STEM—outreach to underrepresented students. 

The STEM outreach grants will be awarded as follows: $125,000 to North Carolina State University; $100,000 to Kansas State University; and $6,000 to Sinclair Community College in Ohio. 

These grants will help the universities engage in STEM outreach, particularly for students who are underrepresented in STEM and aviation. Furthermore, the schools will “design and conduct drone-centered immersion programs, summer camps, after-school programs and community outreach efforts” to reach elementary, middle and high school students, according to the FAA.

“If kids can dream it, they can do it. It’s up to us to light the path for them,” FAA Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims said.

The grants further the agency’s efforts to encourage students and “the next generation of aviators.” Other efforts include the FAA’s Adopt-A-School program and its Airport Design Challenge. In January, the FAA awarded $5 million in grants for aviation classes at higher-education institutes, high schools, state and local governments and flight schools.