Educator Industry Insights: Aviation and Technology Pathways

Educator Industry Insights: Aviation and Technology Pathways

Educator Industry Insights is a quarterly professional development series designed to bridge the gap between education and industry. Each session connects classroom educators with leaders in the STEM field to explore workforce trends, gain hands-on experience, and integrate real-world applications into student learning.

The goal is to equip the region’s educators with tools, insights, and practical experiences that help prepare students for in-demand careers and emerging technologies.

This session will be at the 171st Air Refueling Wing. The 171st is an Air National Guard unit whose main mission is to refuel military aircraft mid-air for the Department of War and NATO. This helps support military operations around the world, achieve national goals, and provide assistance to local and state authorities when requested by the governor. The 171st also supports the Homeland Defense mission on a daily basis. The wing supports two geographically separated units, the 258th Combat Airfield Operations Squadron in Johnstown, Pa. and the 146th Combat Weather Flight, a Special Operations Command unit.

During this immersive day at the 171st Air Refueling Wing, educators and guidance counselors will step into the world of aviation and technology to experience firsthand the wide range of STEM-focused careers available through the Air National Guard. Attendees will engage in hands-on activities, connect directly with Airmen and technical professionals, and explore how these roles contribute to both national defense and cutting-edge innovation. This session offers a unique opportunity to bring real-world insights back to the classroom by helping students envision future pathways in aviation, engineering, and beyond.

Students will then be invited to participate in the 171st Air Refueling Wing’s Student Orientation Day in October 2026.

When: May 19, 2025

Where: 171st Air Refueling Wing

Agenda:

• 8:00 AM – Registration and Buffet
• 9:00 AM – Unit Mission Brief
• 10:00 AM – Hands-On Career Stations with Subject Matter Experts
• 12:00 PM – Event Concludes

Questions?

For Programming: Rafalene Costanza, Director of Workforce of the Future, rcostanza@pghtech.org.
For Registration: Lauren Lowen, Event Coordinator, llowen@pghtech.org.
For Sponsorship: Ashley Steckel, Vice President of Business Development, asteckel@pghtech.org.

Career sectors highlighted at this event include:

Wing Staff

• Information Protection
• Finance / Accounting
• Public Affairs
• Paralegal Safety

Base Operations

• Pilot Boom Operator
• Intelligence Aircraft equipment management
• Training (simulators)

Mission Support

• Civil Engineering (electrician, engineer, plumber, power production, construction, fire fighter)
• Communications (cyber security, network, computers, software)
• Logistics (material management, aircraft load planning)
• Environmental Management
• Emergency Management
• Security (base police)
• Fuels

Aircraft Maintenance

• Structural
• Avionics
• Propulsion
• Electrical / Environmental
• Fuel Hydraulics

Medical / Health / Wellness

• Nursing
• Technician
• Aerospace
• Medicine
• Bio Environmental
• Public Health