Written By: Meghan Thoreau, OSU Extension Educator, Community Development & STEM, Pickaway County. The official article can be found at The Ohio State University Mind Stretched.
OSU Extension, Pickaway County, is proud to announce that the Westfall Drone Program has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Pickaway County Community Foundation (PCCF). This philanthropic investment will significantly strengthen our ability to deliver high-quality, hands-on aviation and drone education for Westfall High School students.
Expanding Opportunities in STEM and Aviation
This funding directly supports the expansion of the Westfall Drone Club and its integration with the district’s new in-school FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification course. Together, these programs create a unified pathway that allows students to:
Engage in hands-on drone flight, simulation, and mission planning
Learn the aviation principles required for FAA Remote Pilot Certification
Explore workforce applications in precision agriculture, sustainability, surveying, public safety, and data science
Strengthen technical, analytical, and 21st-century skillsets needed in emerging STEM careers
With PCCF’s support, students will have access to:
Commercial-grade drones
FAA-aligned curriculum
Flight simulation software
Structured exam preparation
A dedicated Remote Piloting Supervisor to oversee after-school operations and flight safety
A Community-Driven Effort
The Westfall Drone Program is made possible through strong partnerships with:
Pickaway County Community Foundation
Westfall Local School District
Pickaway Educational Service Center
Pickaway-Ross Career & Technical Center
OSU Extension, Pickaway County
Unmanned Safety Institute (USI)
Each partner plays a critical role in creating opportunities for rural youth to earn industry-recognized credentials and explore high-demand career pathways right here in Pickaway County.
Impacting the Next Generation
The program aims to serve up to 20 high school students each year, offering more than 250 hours of instruction, drone practice, and supervised flight activities. With the support of the PCCF grant, students will be better prepared to sit for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Exam—a nationally recognized credential that opens doors to aviation, unmanned systems, agricultural technology, and rapidly growing drone-related industries.
By investing in this program, PCCF is helping to:
Reduce economic barriers to certification
Expand rural access to STEM programming
Strengthen local workforce pipelines
Inspire the next generation of aviation and technology professionals.
A Bright Flight Path Ahead
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Pickaway County Community Foundation for recognizing the importance of drone education and supporting the growth of innovative youth STEM programming in our county. Together, we are expanding opportunities, elevating student potential, and preparing young people for meaningful futures in technology and aviation.
To learn more about the program, visit: