The aerospace program at Highland High School is set to reach new heights in year two.

Industrial arts teacher Brian Haymond and science teacher Tim Surine led the charge in Iowa’s first high school aerospace engineering program during the 2018-19 school year. Work has already begun to prepare for year two. Haymond says the first weekend after school let out in the spring, he and Surine traveled to South Carolina University to learn about the new lesson plan. This year, students will get a first-hand look on navigation and flight, “The students will have to do a flight plan, like they are going to be flying a plane from a regional airport to wherever they decide, and back. Also, they’re going to be building a drone from scratch. We have motors, propellers, and they will have to build the framework and air foil for their final project.”

This program was funded in part by a $60,000 Washington County Riverboat Foundation grant. With the first year of instruction under his belt, Haymond believes the sky’s the limit for these students.