On Saturday, October 11, students volunteered at the Perry Planes & Cars event hosted by the City of Perry at Perry Municipal Airport. At the PHS Aerospace booth, students shared information about their program with attendees and answered questions about coursework, career pathways, and flight training opportunities. In addition, they partnered with the Oklahoma State University Flying Aggies to assist with various event operations, gaining first-hand exposure to aviation community engagement.
Then, on Tuesday, October 21, a team of five sophomore aerospace students represented Perry High School at the “Fly Forward: Search and Rescue Championship,” hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics and the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education.
The competition challenged 32 student teams to complete a series of simulated drone search and rescue missions, including locating a downed kayaker, a missing hiker, and a snake bite victim. The Perry students successfully applied their drone operation and problem-solving skills to real-world scenarios, showcasing the technical training and teamwork emphasized in the PHS Aerospace program.
These experiences provided students with valuable opportunities to connect classroom learning with real-world applications while developing technical, communication, and leadership skills that will serve them well in future aviation and STEM-related careers.