Officials with the Atlantic High School have announced the District is excited to be joining more than 100 schools, in implementing the nationally recognized AOPA STEM (Aviation Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) program in the 2019-2020 school year. Approximately 20 students will be participating in the curriculum which will be taught by Mrs. Staashelm. The program course features two Career and Technical Education pathways: Pilot, and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones).

All curriculum materials are provided to schools at no cost, thanks to generous donations made to the AOPA (The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) Foundation. The organization has representatives based in Frederick, MD, Washington, D-C, and seven regions across the U-S.  According to a 2018 Boeing study, there is a growing demand for qualified people to fill aviation industry jobs. Globally, 635,000 commercial aircraft pilots, 622,000 technicians and 858,000 cabin crew members are needed within the next 20 years.

Schools nationwide will be implementing the ninth- and tenth-grade curriculum in the 2019-2020 school year. In addition, 25 schools will be testing the 11th-grade curriculum. AOPA will release subsequent courses each year until curriculum is completed for grades 9-through 12. To learn more about AOPA’s high school aviation STEM curriculum, go to https://youcanfly.aopa.org/