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The 2025 Symposium gives you everything you need to start or elevate your aviation STEM and CTE programs. Turn curiosity into engagement, passive learners into driven problem-solvers, and ignite passion through aviation.
More than a conference—it's where educators, industry leaders, and aviation advocates come together to reimagine how AOPA's aviation STEM curriculum can inspire students and elevate classroom learning.
Whether you're considering the idea, getting started, or expanding your program, you'll leave with practical tools, fresh insights, and valuable connections to confidently take the next step.
Discover the passionate community driving this event.
Download our justification letter template.
Aviation is an unexpected, but incredibly effective way to teach science, math, engineering, and technology. It makes abstract concepts real, relevant, and exciting, and it's completely accessible, at no cost, to your school.
This isn't your typical sit-and-listen conference; it's engaging, energizing professional development that puts educators at the heart of the aviation workforce pipeline.
Sign up to receive updates and news about the symposium and the AOPA Foundation's free high school aviation STEM curriculum.
"The Symposium is well worth my time each year. My colleagues and I attend as a department, and we use the time to build on each of our ideas as we experience the Symposium differently."
"The continued growth and success of our brand new aviation program is without a doubt owed in part to the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Symposium."
"Attending the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Symposium is one of the highlights of the year!."
"I expected maybe 8-10 students, but my initial course requests are over 25 students!"
We're bringing back some of last year's most popular sessions—plus adding new topics, expert-led boot camps, and practical takeaways designed to equip you with classroom-ready tools and strategies.
This isn't a sit-and-listen event. It's hands-on, high-energy professional development built for educators.
New to teaching aviation? In under three hours, you'll cover fundamentals like aerodynamics, key aircraft components and systems, FAA regulations, ATC, the NAS, and the pilot certification path. Leave with a toolkit of free and low-cost resources.
Map your path to becoming an FAA-certificated ground instructor. Learn certificate types, eligibility, test prep strategies, and leave with a practical roadmap for certification.
Get a clear overview of the AOPA curriculum's principles, resources, and implementation strategies. Perfect for newcomers or anyone refreshing their approach.
Discover the free high school curriculum changing classrooms nationwide. Get a high-level view of rigor, hands-on activities, and teacher support to get started quickly.
How to plug into or launch aviation competitions that build teamwork and real-world skills, with practical startup advice.
Intentional drone use to teach STEM, problem-solving, and collaboration, plus selection, maintenance, management, and accessories.
What it takes to build a program from scratch and the impact on students, with lessons you can apply immediately.
Session information forthcoming.
Pitching, planning, and launching a successful high school aviation program, with a clear roadmap for admins and educators.
Build a maintenance pathway and connect students to training and in-demand careers beyond the cockpit.
Options for engaging students in aircraft builds, from airport projects to formal manufacturing curricula.
Live demos and practical strategies to integrate drones from elementary through high school. Inclusive approaches for diverse learners.
Direct, affordable path to a professional pilot career, from training to transition to Republic Airways.
Round out your program with free and low-cost resources and flight opportunities from leading orgs.
Debunk common barriers about who can fly, cost, and complexity so you can guide students with facts.
Navigate grants, CTE funding, and other sources with a panel of experts.
Session information forthcoming.
Alumni stories, real-world pathways, and how technical training opens doors for students and classrooms.
AOPA's program and other major funding sources, with tips for strong applications to bring resources into your program.
Explore maintenance, manufacturing, medicine, law, CS, engineering, business, and more across the aviation ecosystem.
Study tools and approaches from leading providers to build confidence and boost pass rates.
Hands-on Drone Soccer to build FAA-aligned skills in coding, troubleshooting, and teamwork, plus how to start programs at school.
Session information forthcoming.
Discovery flights, scholarships, and partnerships that move students from classroom to cockpit.
Degree options in professional flight, management, maintenance, ATC, and drones, with guidance on applications and partnerships.
Free grades 6–8 curriculum built to dovetail with AOPA's high school program. Meet the dev team and peek under the cowling.
Survey of popular sims, emerging tech, and how to deploy them effectively in the classroom.
Ready-to-use kits and aviation resources that complement the AOPA High School Curriculum, offered via a single shop.
How AI tools are personalizing aviation education with enhanced sims, instructor dashboards, and motivation via leaderboards.
Open Q&A with AOPA Foundation staff and veteran curriculum teachers and admins.
Session information forthcoming.
How do you create thrilling, visually stunning scenes for a hit movie like Top Gun: Maverick? Find out from the pilot who flew them. U.S. Navy Commander Frank Weisser is a two-time Blue Angels pilot with three combat deployments, including to Afghanistan and Iraq. With more than 5,000 flight hours and nearly 500 carrier landings, Frank has earned numerous decorations, including multiple Meritorious Service Medals, Strike Flight Air Medals, and personal and unit awards. He’s also the pilot at the controls in many of Top Gun: Maverick’s most memorable and dangerous scenes, including the climactic high-speed flight through a narrow canyon.
Secure your spot at the AOPA Foundation's 2025 High School Aviation STEM Symposium and join colleagues from across the nation who are eager to shape the future of aviation STEM and CTE learning.
All-Inclusive Learning Experience
Enhance your symposium experience with an exclusive rate at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. Use the link below to secure the special rate.
Book Your StaySaturday, November 15 is SOLD OUT.
Act fast to lock in your stay!
One S. Capitol Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Exhibiting at the 2025 symposium puts you face-to-face with the educators and decision-makers shaping tomorrow’s aviation talent pipeline. Whether you're offering products, programs, or career pathways, this is your chance to make meaningful connections and support the growth of aviation in high school STEM and CTE programs.
Exhibitor Prospectus Secure My BoothFor more information, please contact: Kate Hill
Maximize your organization's visibility with our exclusive sponsorship packages. The 2025 symposium provides valuable marketing opportunities, including prominent recognition in AOPA's communications and outreach to our extensive education network.
Sponsor ProspectusTo explore the available opportunities and reserve your sponsorship, please contact: Karla Smith
A highly engaged audience of high school principals, superintendents, district administrators, and educators looking to connect with organizations that can enhance their STEM and CTE programs with aviation-focused solutions. Whether you're an exhibitor or sponsor, this is your opportunity to build meaningful partnerships and expand your impact in aviation education.
AviNation Media
https://www.avinationusa.com/
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA Flight School)
https://www.amaflightschool.org/
Aerospace Center for Excellence
https://aceedu.org/
Aviation Institute of Maintenance (AIM)
https://start.aviationmaintenance.edu/
Aviation Unbound Solutions LLC
https://aviationunboundsolutions.com
California Aeronautical University (CAU)
https://calaero.edu/
Community College of Beaver County
https://www.ccbc.edu/
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
https://erau.edu/
Epic Flight Academy
https://epicflightacademy.com/
Gleim Aviation
https://aviation.gleim.com/
Gold Seal Ground Schools
https://groundschool.com/
LIFT Academy
https://flywithlift.com/
PlaneEnglish
https://planeenglishsim.com/
MzeroA Online Ground School
https://www.mzeroa.com/
Purdue Global
https://www.purdueglobal.edu/
Southern Illinois University - School of Aviation
https://aviation.siu.edu/index.php
University of North Dakota - Aerospace
https://aero.und.edu/
US Aviation Academy
http://www.usaviationacademy.com/
U.S. Space and Rocket Center
http://www.rocketcenter.com/
Western Michigan University - College of Aviation
https://wmich.edu/aviation
Unmanned Safety Institute (USI)
https://www.flyusi.org/home
Navispire
https://navispire.org/
Pitsco Education
https://www.pitsco.com/
Aerium
https://aerium.org/
Choose Aerospace, Inc.
https://www.chooseaerospace.org/
Embraer Foundation
https://embraerfoundation.org/
General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
https://gama.aero/
Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame, Inc.
http://www.inahof.org/
Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP)
https://obap.org/
The National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA)
https://www.nifa.aero/
CES Trainers
https://cestrainers.com/
Drone Sports, Inc.
https://www.dronesports.us/
FlyShirley – Airplane Team, Inc.
https://flyshirley.com
FRASCA, a FlightSafety International Company
https://www.frasca.com
Redbird Flight Simulations
https://simulators.redbirdflight.com/
Rocket Drones
https://simulators.redbirdflight.com/
Simbird Montauk Systems
https://simbird.net/
True Course Simulations
https://tcsims.com/
Turtle Beach
https://www.turtlebeach.com/
For more information on the symposium, please contact us at [email protected].