Adopt-a-School Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Adopt-a-School (AAS) Program is one of FAA’s signature STEM initiatives to inspire youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue aviation and aerospace careers. Through AAS, FAA will partner with selected elementary schools for a six-lesson commitment. As part of AAS, FAA experts and aviation industry professionals partner to deliver free lessons for up to one house. These age-appropriate lessons are designed to introduce aviation and aerospace concepts to students, emphasize the importance of STEM literacy, and raise awareness of aviation and aerospace careers.
 

The AAS Program presents an inspiring STEM and aviation and aerospace education opportunity to students in diverse communities. The program allows students to engage in hands-on learning with FAA experts, demonstrate and build STEM literacy, and discover career opportunities in aviation and aerospace.

The AAS program will increase the library of educational resources on aviation and aerospace at schools while helping address projected workforce shortages in aviation and aerospace industries.

The AAS program offers the FAA the opportunity to educate the public about our safety mission, to inspire a passion for our industry in the next generation, and helps build a strong and diverse pipeline for the aviation and aerospace workforce of the future.

Teachers can play the following role before, during, and after each lesson: 

• Coordinate with the FAA to ensure technology and materials are prepared and ready 
• Complete the survey provided by the FAA Outreach Representative 
• Continue aviation and aerospace conversations with students
• Visit https://www.faa.gov/education for more resources

Lessons are geared toward 4th grade students, with topics ranging from drone operations to aviation maintenance, as well as fun activities for students. The lessons reflect the FAA mission to maintain the safest, most efficient aviation and aerospace system in the world, and aim to build a more diverse workforce for our industry.

The lesson plans cover the following topics: drones, pilots, controllers, technicians, airports, and space.
 

The FAA wants to inspire as many students, in as many diverse populations, as possible. Schools are selected to meet this goal, as well as based on regional community needs, their unique locations, and proximity to FAA facilities.

For more information, review Executive Order 13895 on advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities through the Federal Government. 

Once in the program, schools will receive information, guidance, and access to all program materials. 

If your school does not meet the criteria of the program, you can still access a downloadable activity for each lesson plan topic here.