Story ID: 
AOPA's Aviation Curriculum Receives STEM Accreditation
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: The STEM accrediting organization bestowed two "Trustmarks" recognizing AOPA's aviation curriculum meets a range of criteria for student development.
Word Count: 454
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation obtained two accreditation recognitions for its high school aviation curriculum from the independent credentialing and education research organization STEM (DotOrg).

The accrediting organization bestowed two “trustmarks” on AOPA’s STEM program, which is part of the association’s Learn to Fly Initiative, recognizing that it meets a range of objectives. These include that the program develops critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills; promotes science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills; strengthens the STEM skills students need for future careers; and supports the development of future-focused skills.

AOPA’s STEM curriculum involves six courses in two pathways (pilots and drones) for high school students. Schools may opt for a single course or a four-year career and technical education program. Those completing the curriculum will have the material necessary to pass the FAA’s private pilot or remote pilot knowledge tests. More than 200 schools in 38 states used the AOPA Foundation curriculum this past school year and more than 8,000 students participated. AOPA said the curriculum is expanding in the coming years and attracting underrepresented backgrounds in aviation: 20 percent of the participating students are female and 45 percent people of color.

“The opportunity to become accredited through STEM [DotOrg] is something that will elevate the AOPA Foundation’s curriculum to new heights,” said AOPA You Can Fly Program executive director Elizabeth Tennyson. “Many students don’t realize that being a pilot is an option for them and it really is very accessible. AOPA works hard to make it even more accessible and gives students the exposure and tools they need to pursue a career in aviation.”

A third-party validator of STEM books, videos, and other print and digital learning resources, the STEM organization has supported a range of activities in the field, including working with the STEM congressional caucus, over the past 20 years. Other organizations' recognized trustmarks include the Walt Disney Co., Staples, NBA, and New York Times.

“The AOPA's You Can Fly program exhibits true excellence and is leading the way in STEM education,” said Andrew Raupp, founder and executive director of the STEM accrediting organization. “In thoroughly assessing the program and corresponding curriculum during the multiphase assessment process, our team was impressed with AOPA's STEM academic rigor combined with a devotion to supporting future pilots at every stage of their aviation journey. They provide students the resources to nurture the skills they need to think critically and succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

AOPA believes the curriculum is particularly important given forecasts such as the Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook predicting a need for more than 200,000 pilots in North America alone over the next 20 years.