The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association\u2019s sixth-annual\nHigh School Aviation STEM Symposium presented as a livestream sponsored by the\nU.S. Air Force was as engaging and informative online as it was during\nin-person sessions. The sharing of ideas, information, and teaching tips flew\nby at a torrid pace during the 1.5-hour presentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The appetite for aviation learning and accompanying careers\nhas grown exponentially in the years since the AOPA You Can Fly High School\nInitiative began, despite a recent commercial air travel slowdown brought on by\nthe coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The yearly gathering of science, technology, engineering,\nand math (STEM) teaching specialists helps highlight an engaging curriculum for\nyoung people that spans ninth through twelfth grade with hands-on projects that\nmake learning fun and interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over 950 people attended the virtual event which included\nsessions presented by aviation STEM education leaders and professional pilots.\nSeveral schools held virtual watch parties with teachers, students,\nadministrators, and parents sharing the experience. The focus was on tools and strategies to help\nteachers and administrators implement and grow an effective aviation STEM\nprogram.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The AOPA curriculum is available free of charge to school systems nationwide and counts more than 400 classrooms at over 200 schools in 38 states with about 8,000 students. One of the hallmarks of the initiative is broadening the demographics of those exposed to aviation to help diversify the pilot population. Approximately 23 percent of the high school aviation STEM students are female compared to about 7.5 percent of females working<\/a> as career pilots in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interactive chats began the moment the program went live and\ncontinued throughout the presentation hosted by Swayne Martin, a professional\npilot with a massive internet following.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AOPA President and CEO Mark Baker welcomed hundreds of\nonline participants and said he is remaining focused on preparing young people\nfor aviation careers despite temporary setbacks, and that might not always be a\n\u201cstraight line\u201d to a full-time job. Baker encouraged instructors and their\nstudents to stay the course and predicted aviation careers would remain strong\nin the months and years ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Martin shared his passion for aviation and deftly danced\nbetween pre-recorded sessions, live video, and moderating chats. When the topic\nof financial assistance was raised, Martin reminded students and teachers that\nthey can apply for over $1 million in AOPA scholarships when applications open\non December 1, 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next AOPA High School STEM Aviation Symposium is planned\nfor Nov. 14-16, 2021, in Orlando, Florida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n