Northeast Tech students soaring to new heights with STEM project

AFTON, Okla. — Northeast Tech STEM students exhibited several skills on Thursday as they explained the first leg of their plans to build an airplane.  

Northeast Tech at the Afton Campus and Tango Flight are in their first year of a partnership to provide hands-on learning opportunities for its STEM students. Tango Fight is a non-profit organization that educates students to become engineers, pilots, aviation mechanics, and technicians.

Northeast Tech is one of 40 schools nationwide building a two-seater FAA-compliant airplane, said Trishia Masterson, STEM instructor.

The program has five students, including Grove senior Joseph Wang, who scored a perfect score of 36 on his American College Test. Another 15 students will join the project next year.

Reagan Rudd of Ketchum, Taylor Stewart of Epic School, Thomas Schas, of Afton, and Wang said the school's Advanced Math classes attracted the students to the program.

The students use engineering, aerodynamics, and electronic skills in the construction.

On Thursday, the students were working on the plane's wings.

"When we first started, we had to get some background knowledge, practice with the tools, know what a good revet is, and know what a bad rivet is," Masterson said.

She said that working with mentors has evolved to where the students can now work independently on the project.

“At first, we were triple-checking all of our measurements and three sets of eyes (viewed) the project,” Masterson said.  “As the year passes, we are getting more confident,” referring to the measuring protocol.  

The two-seater aircraft is expected to be completed in 2026. 

Click here for further information about Northeast Tech Afton Campus.