Article written by Meghan Thoreau, OSU Extension Educator, on October 12, 2026.
https://u.osu.edu/mindstretched/category/educational-service-century/
This week, I'm attending the Epsilon Sigma Phi (ESP) National Conference in Springfield, IL, to share how a school–Extension partnership in Pickaway County is connecting rural youth with aviation learning and workforce credentials.
My poster, "From Club to Certification: Building a Rural Drone Workforce Pipeline Through School–Extension Partnerships," highlights the Westfall Drone Program and its progression from STEM exploration to preparation for the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Below: My poster for the 2026 ESP National Conference highlights how the Westfall Drone Program connects rural students with hands-on aviation learning, FAA Part 107 certification preparation, and emerging career pathways through school–Extension partnerships.
As a Community Development Educator with Ohio State University Extension, I help connect schools with resources, partners, and hands-on experiences that expand students' career possibilities. At Westfall, that work brought together classroom instruction, flight simulation, supervised drone flight, practice examinations, and career exploration. Students explored drone applications in agriculture, construction, infrastructure, public safety, and other fields.
The 2025–2026 cohort offered encouraging results:
Six of eight students attempted the certification examination.
Three of those six passed on their first attempt.
Students reported increased knowledge and confidence across all seven measured FAA competency areas.
The classroom instructor also earned certification, strengthening the school's capacity to continue the program.
These findings come from a small pilot, but they offer practical lessons for future programming. Students valued instructor support, practice examinations, and the opportunity to earn a credential. They also wanted more direct flight experience. Preparing students means supporting both their learning and the practical details of testing, including identification, registration, transportation, and scheduling.
This work depends on committed partners, including Westfall Local Schools, career-technical and educational partners, the Unmanned Safety Institute, and industry and community supporters. A $5,000 grant from the Pickaway County Community Foundation supported a certified program supervisor.
At ESP, I look forward to connecting with colleagues interested in youth career exploration, emerging technologies, and school partnerships. My poster shares what we learned and offers ideas other Extension professionals can adapt to help students move from curiosity toward a tangible career opportunity.
Program resource: Westfall Drone Club: Commercial Remote Pilot Prep Blog
Ohioline Fact Sheets:
Introduction to the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate: This fact sheet is the first in a six-part series introducing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and related core curriculum topics. Upcoming fact sheets will cover airspace, sectional charts, weather, safety regulations, and career opportunities in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Understanding Airspace for Drone Pilots: This second fact sheet focuses on Airspace, which refers to the part of the sky a country controls above its land or territory. It is where airplanes and other aircraft take off and land. In the United States, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages this airspace and ensures everyone shares the sky safely and efficiently. For drone pilots, understanding airspace is not just about following rules; it is also about being a responsible and safe remote pilot. Airspace rules and regulations help everyone avoid needless accidents and keep everyone safe.
Connect with me: Meghan Thoreau, Community Development Extension Educator, Pickaway County — thoreau.1@osu.edu