10 years of excitement

Next STEM Symposium set for November in Atlanta

October 22, 2024

Each year, the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Symposium brings dedicated educators from around the nation for two full days of sharing insights, ideas, and best practices for starting and building aviation STEM programs.

‘What’s Up?’ webinars

Formerly known as ‘Don’t Get Rusty’

By Julie Summers Walker

Do you enjoy watching webinars? They are great learning tools and AOPA’s You Can Fly team hosts monthly discussions on myriad topics and often include special guests who are experts in their field. Topics include spin training (with special guest Catherine Cavagnaro), flying helicopters, de-terrifying stalls, how to find and/or be a good CFI, glider concepts, navigating the D.C. SFRA, and much more. The webinars are hosted by Chris Moser and Dan Justman of the You Can Fly team. Their light-hearted approach to staying proficient and discussing all things flying airs on the third Thursday of each month. The series of casual, upbeat presentations on flying topics to help keep you proficient was previously called “Don’t Get Rusty” but the team has recently changed the name to “What’s Up? Know. Learn, Fly.” You’ll need to register to participate and learn; you can ask questions live as the webinar is presented.

aopa.org/knowflylearnwebinars

In 2024, we will celebrate the symposium’s tenth anniversary, and it will be the biggest and best yet. It will be held in Atlanta, November 17 through 19.

Pilots, drone operators, aerospace engineers, scientists, technologists, and technicians will always be in demand. The AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Symposium is an excellent opportunity for educators and administrators to discover how they can prepare students for success in these exciting and well-paying careers. This is the only high school symposium in the nation that specifically targets aviation and aerospace content.

The AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Symposium is your chance to get to know the leaders in the field. Our speakers come with a wealth of experience in education, aviation, aerospace, and more. They will share lessons learned and provide fresh ideas to take back to your classrooms. Breakout sessions are designed to help you get the most out of your experience, whether you’re interested in starting an aviation program, adding aviation content to STEM classes, or enhancing an existing aviation initiative at your school.

youcanfly.aopa.org/high-school/symposium

Who is the best?

Apply now for flight training excellence awards

Applications for the 2025 AOPA Flight Training Experience Awards are now open. The AOPA Flight Training Experience Awards recognize excellence in flight and ground school instruction by honoring outstanding instructors and flight schools nationwide. Applications open September 2 and close October 31, 2024.

AOPA has revamped the Flight Training Experience Awards for 2025, transitioning from a survey-based model to a more focused, application-driven approach. This new process ensures that these awards reflect the best in flight and ground training, as demonstrated by those flight schools and instructors most committed to providing an excellent experience for their students and clients.

Increase your program’s appeal to prospective students and clients.
Demonstrate your standing among the industry’s best.
Show your commitment to continuous improvement and exceptional training.

How to participate

Complete and submit an application.
Request reviews from students, clients, instructors, or DPEs who have trained or conducted business with you in the past 12 months. This is included in the application process.

Applications are screened using statistical measures, and top award recipients are selected by a panel of industry experts who are unaware of the identity of the school or instructor being judged.

aopa.org/2025ftawards