RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — At Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Apex High School students are learning all about the world of aviation.

“There’s just so many opportunities for young people in aviation today and there’s not a lot of avenues for them to get into it,” said Don Koch. He is one of the organizers of the aviation careers technology stem day.

Each year the organization partners with the NCDOT Division of Aviation to immerse kids in the world of planes.

“I think I’m just interested in flying the plane in general and just like how they do it,” said Shams Sodeq, an Apex High School student.

Students are not only learning about planes, but they’re also learning how to use aviation technology.

“We were building these monitors kind of, and they just pick up the radar signal from the plane so we can see when they’re coming in and then when they’re close, where they’re taking off to,” said Apex High School Student, Cranz Smelcer.

Students also got the chance to fly drones, tour RDU’s aviation tower and learn about different careers in aviation. 

“Get them excited about it and then show them how they can get started, how can they get their private pilot’s license, if they want to go that route, or they want to take training as a AMP, which is, you know, does the mechanics on an airplane,” said Koch. “There’s so many great opportunities.”

You can learn more about Apex High School’s Academy of Information Technology program here.