AOPA takes STEM curriculum to Tennessee schools

In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division, the AOPA Foundation’s You Can Fly team hosted the first event in Knoxville on August 26 to help schools launch new aviation programs.

Each stop on the tour includes an in-depth curriculum exploration and hands-on activities and demonstrations used in the lessons. Additionally, Rocket Drones—an education company that uses gamified drone training to teach students foundational science, technology, engineering, and math skills—provides the opportunity for attendees to fly drones. Rocket Drones is also giving away one drone at each event.

“This program enables teachers to open the eyes and minds of students to the exciting, rewarding, and well-paying careers available in aviation and aerospace,” said AOPA You Can Fly Vice President Dan Justman. “Since its launch in 2017, we’ve seen incredible growth and interest, including from schools in Tennessee. This school year, we’ll serve our 100,000th student as part of the program.”

“Tennessee has a strong and rising aviation industry,” said TDOT Aeronautics Director J.P. Saalwaechter. “From FedEx in Memphis to Cirrus in Knoxville—and everywhere in between—AOPA providing this curriculum at no cost to Tennessee schools will empower students to pursue incredible career paths that may not have been possible otherwise.”

The program is made possible thanks to generous donors to the AOPA Foundation. Their support makes it possible for the AOPA Foundation to deliver the curriculum at no charge, ensuring that any school or district can implement the program.

“Our donors see tremendous value in investing in the next generation of aviation professionals—whether they pursue careers as pilots, mechanics, engineers, dispatchers, or other roles,” said AOPA Foundation Senior Vice President Elizabeth Tennyson. “By offering the curriculum at no cost, we remove a major barrier to entry and make it possible for any student to be part of a high-quality aviation program with practical, hands-on lessons.”

The tour includes additional stops in Memphis on September 9 and Murfreesboro on September 12. The events are open to STEM and CTE teachers, administrators, education officials, aviation professionals, airport managers, business leaders, and state legislators. There is no cost to attend but registration is encouraged.

The You Can Fly program and the Air Safety Institute are funded by charitable donations to the AOPA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. To be a part of the solution, visit www.aopafoundation.org/donate.