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Help Us Launch the Mobile STEM Aviation Lab (MSAL) for Rural Alabama Students

Support Workforce Pathways for Rural Students

Fund the launch of Alabama’s first Mobile STEM Aviation Lab for rural students

Economic Pathways is an early stage 501c(3) nonprofit. We are currently raising $775,000 in startup and first-year operating funds for the MSAL Pilot Program. Additional future capital campaigns will support the Business Technology Center and Generation Forward Learning Farm.

How Your Gift Makes an Impact

Choose the Impact You Want to Make

You can help launch the lab, run the lab, or directly sponsor students ($4,000 per student per year) through the pilot year. Every level below is tied to a real MSAL cost and a specific outcome.

Impact Targets (Pilot Year)

  • 150–200 students

  • 100% TRUST credential completion

  • 70% Part 107 pass rate among eligible students

  • 3-course aviation CTE alignment

  • Stronger district CCRI outcomes

Launch the Lab (Capital & Equipment)

$100,000 – Flight Simulation Sponsor

  • Funds our full X-Plane flight suite and supports core aviation instruction.
  • Equips students with high-fidelity aviation training stations
  • Make core AOPA-aligned aviation instruction possible across all participating schools

$50,000 – Drone Fleet & AI Technology Sponsor

  • Purchases the MSAL training and racing drone fleet plus spares
  • Supports AI and computer vision tools used in our curriculum
  • Enables students to plan missions, code drones, and analyze real aerial data

$25,000 – Mobile Classroom Trailer & Build-Out Sponsor

  • Supports customization and outfitting of the 28-foot mobile classroom
  • Covers power distribution, interior build, safety storage, and learning stations
  • Creates a safe, professional-grade learning environment on wheels

$10,000 – Technology Infrastructure Sponsor

  • Funds networking, Wi-Fi, and essential software licenses
  • Keeps simulators, coding platforms, and AI tools running smoothly

$5,000 – Classroom Readiness & Safety Sponsor

  • Provides safety gear, PPE, battery cases, signage, first-aid, and SOP materials
  • Ensures the lab meets FAA, AOPA, and school safety expectations

Run the Lab (Pilot-Year Operations)

$250,000 – Full Semester Operations Sponsor

  • Underwrites roughly half of MSAL’s annual operating costs

  • Supports instructional staff, logistics, maintenance, and consumables

  • Delivers a full semester of aviation, drone, and AI training for 90–100 students

$100,000 – Adopt-a-School (Full Year)

  • Sponsors one high school for the entire pilot year

  • Covers all rotations, simulation hours, AI labs, and field operations for that campus

  • Provides TRUST and Part 107 preparation for eligible students at that school

$50,000 – One 4-Week School Rotation Sponsor

  • Funds one complete MSAL rotation at a partner high school

  • Includes instructor time, technical support, travel, setup, and teardown

  • Reaches 20–24 students in that cycle with intensive aviation and drone training

$25,000 – Instruction & Technical Support (One Month)

  • Supports the MSAL Lead Instructor and Technical Facilitator for approximately one month

  • Ensures safe, high-quality delivery of all lab activities and field operations

$10,000 – Drone Fleet Maintenance & Batteries Sponsor

  • Covers batteries, props, motors, and routine repair for training and racing drones

  • Keeps the fleet safe and mission-ready throughout the semester

$5,000 – Fuel, Travel & Logistics Sponsor

  • Funds vehicle and generator fuel, trailer hauling, and weekly school travel

  • Allows MSAL to reach all four partner schools without adding cost burdens to districts

Sponsor MSAL Operations

Impact a Student (Direct Sponsorship)

$4,000 – Sponsor One Student for the Full Pilot Year

  • Covers a student’s full experience: flight simulation, drone operations, AI modules, TRUST certification, and Part 107 prep

  • Provides a complete year-long pathway from curiosity to career-ready skills

$1,000 – FAA Part 107 Prep (3 Students)

  • Funds exam prep, practice tests, and instructor time for three students

  • Supports pathways into commercial UAS work in agriculture, construction, public safety, and more

$500 – TRUST & DroneBlocks Coding (5 Students)

  • Provides FAA TRUST safety certification and DroneBlocks coding missions

  • Teaches five students safe flight operations and foundational autonomy concepts

$250 – Flight Simulation & AI Literacy Module (Per Student)

  • Funds simulator time and AI literacy experiences for one student

  • Connects aviation fundamentals with real-world AI applications

$100 – Drone Racing Club Safety & Repair Sponsor

  • Supports micro-drones, gates, and repairs for the MSAL Drone Racing Club

  • Keeps students engaged through a safe, competitive, and STEM-rich extracurricular activity

Sponsor a Student

Looking for a Custom Partnership or Corporate Sponsorship?

We welcome corporate, foundation, and high-capacity individual partners who want to:

  • Align with AI and drone workforce development

  • Support rural education and STEM equity

  • Sponsor a school, a semester, or a major equipment component

  • Explore naming opportunities 

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