More than 70 schools will implement the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association‘s (AOPA) high school aviation science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum in the 2018-2019 school year.
AOPA’s aviation STEM curriculum offers students four-year aviation study options aligned with rigorous math and science standards used in many states nationwide. The program aims to provide students the skills they need to learn about aviation-related career and educational opportunities, according to AOPA officials.
AOPA is developing these courses as part of three career and technical education (CTE) pathways: Pilot, unmanned aircraft systems (drones), and aerospace engineering.
Each year, AOPA will release subsequent courses until all four high school grade levels of the curriculum are complete.
In addition to implementing the ninth-grade curriculum in the 2018-2019 school year, 25 schools will also be testing the tenth-grade curriculum.
The curriculum is provided to schools at no cost. Donors to the AOPA Foundation pay for the development and distribution of the curriculum, as well as other initiatives of the You Can Fly program.
A 2017 Boeing study reports a growing demand for aviation industry jobs, and it’s not slowing down. According to Boeing, 637,000 commercial aircraft pilots, 648,000 technicians, and 839,000 cabin crew members are needed globally within the next 20 years.
“With an unprecedented demand for careers in aviation, we are thrilled that so many high schools are utilizing our STEM curriculum to inspire students and give them the skills to pursue future careers in aerospace,” said AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker. “Planting the seeds for the future workforce of our industry is part of AOPA’s mission to keep aviation vibrant. We are grateful to the AOPA Foundation donors who make such programs possible. Their generosity is helping us make a difference in the lives of thousands of youth and to spur interest in aviation.”
Over the past 12 months, AOPA tested the ninth-grade curriculum in nearly 30 schools with more than 700 students, before unveiling the program.
The courses are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards for Mathematics and includes all the resources teachers will need, AOPA officials note.
Before implementing the curriculum, teachers are required to participate in a three-day professional development workshop at AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, to gain a deeper understanding of the materials, learn about available resources, and network with other aviation educators.
To learn more about AOPA’s high school aviation STEM curriculum, contact the High School Aviation Initiative team at [email protected]. You can also visit AOPA’s You Can Fly page.
By the Numbers
- More than 70 schools will use the ninth grade AOPA Aviation STEM Curriculum in the 2018-2019 school year
- 25 schools will test the 10th grade AOPA Aviation STEM Curriculum in the 2018-2019 school year
- There is no cost for schools to utilize the AOPA Aviation STEM Curriculum
- 22 percent of students currently testing the 9th grade AOPA Aviation STEM Curriculum are female
- 45 percent of students currently testing the 9th grade AOPA Aviation STEM Curriculum are in underrepresented groups
- 2.1 million pilots, technicians, and cabin crew are needed by 2036, according to Boeing.