STEM/AVSED Outreach Representatives from across Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center kicked off FY-25 by volunteering at the Oklahoma City Innovation District's Third Annual Innovation Week event. This annual 3-day event is an opportunity to experience hands-on activities centered around Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). Seventh-grade students from across Oklahoma City Public Schools attended the event, which was held at Science Museum Oklahoma. They had a chance to interact with representatives from 27 different Oklahoma companies, schools, and other organizations while participating in interactive demonstrations and activities. Over 1,200 students, representing 16 schools, attended this year's Innovation Week event.

  The week kicked-off with a teacher spotlight, allowing educators from Oklahoma City Public Schools to preview the different booths and activities that were represented throughout the week. The Aeronautical Center had the largest presence among vendors at this event. FAA volunteers offered activities relating to air traffic control, physics of flight, toxicology, firefighting in an aircraft using virtual reality, information about other outreach opportunities, and an activity involving video production/character animation capability, demonstrating how special effects work.

  Ninety-seven percent of the students who attend Innovation Week come from an economically disadvantaged household. This makes this event even more important, as it is vital for these students to understand that they can create realistic goals in STEAM occupations, and they can achieve their goals right here in Oklahoma.