The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the AOPA Foundation report that more than 34,000 students in more than 1,700 high schools nationwide now have access to its aviation STEM curriculum.
According to foundation officials, more than 20% of participating students are female, nearly half are minorities, and 59% attend Title I schools. Additionally, 60% of program graduates report plans to pursue an aviation career.
“For a long time, the way into aviation was knowing somebody or meeting a pilot at the airport,” said Dan Justman, AOPA Foundation aviation programs vice president. “Now, these students can learn about aviation, and the well-paying career paths it can offer, at school.”
More than 160,000 students have participated in the curriculum since its launch in 2017. The free, four-year program prepares students for careers as pilots and remote drone operators, with a maintenance and manufacturing track scheduled to debut in 2028.
Hundreds of educators will gather in Phoenix Nov. 15-17, 2026, for the 12th annual AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Symposium, where teachers and administrators will participate in hands-on workshops and program development sessions.
For more information: AOPA.org
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