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Walking into Gary Knowles’ class is a little different than probably any other classroom at Mustang High. From the model planes hanging from the ceilings to the NASA Astronaut uniform standing in the front of the class, visitors know they are in a unique world.

Knowles is the Mustang School District‘s Aviation Program director. In his five years in the position, he’s been on a mission to help develop the future of the aviation industry.

“I get to help them explore this wide world of aeronautics, which is so, so broad,” said Knowles, who was named a finalist for the Siegfried Excellence in STEM Education Awards by the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance. “I help the kids and find their individual passion.”

In the seven years that the program has been a part of the Mustang School District, it has grown from 20 students to 160. That doesn’t include the 17 students at the Canadian Valley Technology Center who are working to be maintainers or mechanics with the airframe and power plant.