The South Carolina Department of Education has agreed to grant $500,000 to the first ten high schools that sign up for its new aerospace engineering curriculum. Other schools in the south, including North Carolina, have already launched the program.

Six schools have submitted applications to be considered for the aerospace curriculum that will teach the basics of aircraft design in the fall. Developed by the Southern Regional Education Board, the curriculum was created to prepare students to follow careers as aircraft mechanics, air traffic controllers, radar technicians, pilots, drone designers, and aerospace engineers. In addition to teaching them the skills needed to thrive in those careers, the program will underline the importance of communication, leadership, and teamwork skills.

The program consists of four courses that will be taught across all four years of a students high school career or in four semesters. In the Fundamentals of Aerospace Technology class, students will be able to design, build, and test a pilot seat. The next course, Advanced Aerospace Technology, will provide them with the opportunity to build an airplane wing.

The third class, Aeronautics Engineering Applications, will teach students how to fly a plane using simulators. In the last course, Astronautics Engineering Applications, students will design a laser communication system and create a plan for space survival.

The $500,000 grant will cover the costs of a two-week training seminar at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta for teachers who plan to teach the courses. During that time, the teachers will tackle projects that their students will be presented with.

Aerospace Engineering Provides Prosperous Careers for Students

South Carolina has more than 400 aerospace companies, including its largest firm Boeing. According to SC Aerospace, private- sector aerospace jobs pay an average $70,000 a year, while the states average annual pay is $41,000.

With over 53,000 employees in South Carolina, the aerospace business has had a healthy employee growth rate. Since 2010, the industry has grown 11.4% on average, and will continue to grow with 10 new positions added yearly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, South Carolina will have 20 new positions every year for aerospace engineers until 2018.

Aerospace represents more than six percent of South Carolinas economy and has contributed $19 billion per year to the states economy. Programs like the aerospace curriculum proposed by the South Carolina State Department will help future workers contribute more to the economy. The states largest aerospace company, Boeing, is doing its part in this movement.

Since 2012, Boeing has reached more than 100,000 middle and high school students through its DreamLearners Tour Program. According to SC Aerospace, the program provides students an introduction to Boeings production process, as well as an overview of aerodynamics and flight. The goal of DreamLearners is to inspire the next generation of Boeing workers.

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New aerospace curriculum helps South Carolina students reach for the stars - Columbia Star