Meet LPS Focus Program Scholar: Austin, Aviation and Technical Education

Lincoln Public Schools Focus Programs are a customized high school experience rooted in connection and opportunities. 

LPS offers almost a dozen focus programs for our scholars, like North Star High School sophomore Austin, to choose their journeys. 

His love for mechanics and working with his hands has helped him soar with the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program. 

Read more about Austin’s Aviation and Technical Education experience in this Q&A as he is one of our featured Focus Program Scholars. 

Name: Austin

Home High School: North Star High School 

Grade: 10

Focus Program: Aviation and Technical Education at North Star  

Why did you choose the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program?

I like working with tools and my hands and these classes were available at my school. My teachers were able to give me guidance towards the aviation focus program to pursue my goals to be a professional aviation technician. 

What do you like most about the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program?

Getting to go to the hangar and work on my projects. Also, that I can be creative and learn more about engines and exploring my creative arts and also having fun while doing it. 

What makes the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program different?

Moving around, using tools, getting trusted with projects and certain tasks that I can use to my knowledge and fix everyday appliances. 

How do you get to explore your passions or interests at the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program?  

By working well with my teacher and peers to learn industry-standard ways to do maintenance on outdoor power equipment. 

 

How has attending the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program empowered you as a student?

This has given me an opportunity to get high school credits while working with brand new aviation tools to help proceed with my goal of being an aviation technician, and later on down the road working towards college credits.  

 

What are your relationships with other students and staff like at the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program?

I have been very lucky to have Amanda Woodward (program director) who has been persistent in guiding me on my adventure in the Aviation Focus Program to push me to work hard toward excellence and preparing me for everyday life. 

How has being a part of an LPS Focus Program added to your high school experience? 

I will be able to do the Duncan internship and have opportunities to go on to Duncan Aviation and be a professional technician and add to my high school career also with SkillsUSA.

How has the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program prepared you for the future?

This has given me a chance to meet lots of people from Duncan Aviation, and got me in SkillsUSA, where I get lots of opportunities to network to make the best plan for my future.

   

Why are focus programs like the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program important to high school students?

The Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program can create the next generation of aviation students and will teach them how to succeed the right way by achieving knowledge about aviation and small engines to prepare them to be our future aviation job workers.  

What is the greatest thing you’ve learned since attending the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program? 

How to slow down and focus on what I'm working on. I've learned a lot about how to do the things I thought were correct, and performing the correct demonstration on how to do certain tasks in the shop. I also have gained patience while working and learning to fix mechanical problems which takes time, effort and patience. 

Choose your passion. Choose your community. Choose your future with LPS Focus Programs. 

Learn more about the Aviation and Technical Education Focus Program at North Star High School by visiting its website at https://aviation.lps.org/.

Don’t forget to also explore LPS Focus Programs by looking at upcoming events at home.lps.org/focus. 

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