Aerospace Workforce Educator Program: Connecting Classrooms to Aviation Careers
The Aerospace Workforce Educator Program is an FAA aviation education program open to all elementary schools that introduces students to the real world of aviation. Through six complete lessons covering drones, pilots, air traffic control, aviation maintenance, airports, and space, students explore how the aviation system operates and the skills required to keep the National Airspace System safe, efficient, and resilient. Lessons are flexible and can be adapted to meet students where they are. The target audience for these lessons are students in 3rd - 5th grade, but can be adapted to any student.
The program brings aviation to life in classrooms across the country, giving students an authentic look at the people and professions that support the world’s safest airspace.
As one of the earliest entry points into the FAA’s aviation workforce pathway, Aerospace Workforce Educators helps build awareness, understanding, and confidence at a young age, sparking interest in aviation careers and strengthening the pipeline of future aviation professionals.
Aviation depends on a highly skilled workforce trained in precision, communication, safety, and teamwork. Those workforce skills—and the awareness of aviation careers that use them—start early. Aerospace Workforce Educators empowers educators to introduce students to the operational side of aviation, helping them understand:
- How pilots prepare for flights and make real-time decisions in the flight deck
- How air traffic controllers manage the safe flow of aircraft
- How maintenance technicians inspect, repair, and keep aircraft airworthy
- How airports function as complex, safety-driven systems
- How drones support missions in safety, delivery, emergency response, and research
- How aviation connects to the broader world of space and exploration
For many students, this program provides the first exposure to aviation professionals in action, building early confidence and sparking long-term interest in aviation-related careers.
By introducing these concepts at the beginning of a student’s learning journey, Aerospace Workforce Educators supports the FAA’s long-term workforce needs and helps sustain the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System for generations to come.
If you have questions, would like to arrange an FAA guest speaker for your classroom, or want support incorporating these lessons into your instruction, please reach out to the Aviation Workforce and Education Division at 9-APL-FAAEducation@faa.gov.
Becoming a certified Aerospace Workforce Educator (AWEP) is designed to be accessible, flexible, and impactful for educators at all levels. To get started, educators should contact the FAA Aviation Workforce and Education Division to express interest in the program and receive onboarding guidance.
Educators can then participate in an AWEP webinar or review the program’s orientation video, which provides an overview of the program, the structure of the lessons, and best practices for classroom implementation. Once oriented, educators download and deliver the six AWEP lessons—covering drones, pilots, air traffic control, aviation maintenance, airports, and space—adapting them as needed to fit their classroom environment and student needs.
After completing instruction, educators report back to the FAA with basic participation data, including how many students have engaged with each lesson. This feedback helps the FAA measure program impact and continue improving resources for classrooms nationwide. Upon completion of these steps, educators may be recognized as certified Aerospace Workforce Educators, and their schools may be eligible to be highlighted on the FAA website as participants in this national initiative.
Get Started
Below are the program’s orientation materials and all six aviation lessons.
Program Orientation
Overview
The Aerospace Workforce Educators Orientation introduces educators to the program and prepares them to teach each lesson with confidence. The session walks teachers through lesson structure, hands-on activities, scaffolding strategies, and how to connect with FAA aviation experts for in-person or virtual classroom engagement.
Orientation Materials
- Lesson Plan Overview (PDF)
- Spark Sheets Answer Key (PDF)
Overview
This lesson introduces students to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), how they operate, and the skills drone pilots use to complete missions safely. Students explore flight basics, navigation, weather considerations, and mission planning through hands-on activities.
Career Connections
- Drone Operators
- UAS Technicians
- Engineers developing UAS technologies
Drone Lesson Materials
- Drone Intro Video for Educators (Coming Soon!)
- Lesson Plan: Drones (PDF)
- Drones PowerPoint Presentation for Students (PDF)
- Flight Check Game: Drones (Coming Soon!)
- Drones Spark Sheet Worksheet (PDF)
Overview
Students get an inside look at how pilots fly aircraft, make decisions, and communicate to maintain safety. Lessons explore navigation, weather, flight deck communication, and teamwork.
Career Connections
- Airline Pilots
- Cargo Pilots
- Helicopter Pilots
- Military Pilots
- Flight Instructors
Pilot Lesson Materials
- Pilots Intro Video for Educators (Coming Soon!)
- Lesson Plan: Pilots (PDF)
- Pilots PowerPoint Presentation for Students (PDF)
- Flight Check Game: Pilots (Coming Soon!)
- Pilots Spark Sheet Worksheet (PDF)
Overview
Students learn how air traffic controllers coordinate the safe movement of aircraft in the sky and on the ground. The lesson emphasizes communication, sequencing, timing, and situational awareness.
Career Connections
- Tower Controllers
- TRACON Controllers
- En Route Controllers
- Traffic Management Coordinators
Air Traffic Control Lesson Materials
- Air Traffic Controller Intro Video for Educators (Coming Soon!)
- Lesson Plan: Air Traffic Control (PDF)
- Air Traffic Control PowerPoint Presentation for Students (PDF)
- Flight Check Game: Air Traffic Control (Coming Soon!)
- Air Traffic Control Spark Sheet Worksheet (PDF)
- Air Traffic Control Role Play Scripts (PDF)
Overview
Students explore how Aviation Maintenance Technicians inspect, repair, and maintain aircraft to ensure airworthiness. The lesson emphasizes observation, precision, problem-solving, and safety procedures.
Career Connections
- Airframe & Powerplant Technicians
- Avionics Technicians
- Safety Inspectors
- Manufacturing Technicians
- Engineering Technicians
AMT Lesson Materials
- Aviation Maintenance Tech Intro Video for Educators (Coming Soon!)
- Lesson Plan: Aviation Maintenance Tech (PDF)
- Aviation Maintenance Tech PowerPoint Presentation for Students (PDF)
- Flight Check Game: Aviation Maintenance Tech (Coming Soon!)
- Aviation Maintenance Tech Supporting Material Worksheet (PDF)
- Aviation Maintenance Tech Spark Sheet Worksheet (PDF)
Overview
This lesson introduces students to how airports operate as complex systems. Students explore airport operations, safety zones, markings, vehicles, and the roles that keep airports running safely.
Career Connections
- Airport Operations Specialists
- Airport Planners
- Fire and Rescue Services (ARFF)
- Ground Support and Ramp Workers
Airport Lesson Materials
- Airports Intro Video for Educators (Coming Soon!)
- Lesson Plan: Airports (PDF)
- Airports PowerPoint Presentation for Students (PDF)
- Flight Check Game: Airports (Coming Soon!)
- Airports Spark Sheet Worksheet (PDF)
Overview
Students discover how aviation connects to space and how aviation-related skills—communication, systems thinking, observation, and safety—support space exploration. Lessons explore rockets, satellites, mission planning, and the scientists and engineers behind them.
Career Connections
- Aerospace Engineers
- Test Pilots
- Mission Controllers
- Space Operations Technicians
- Satellite and Navigation Specialists
Space Lesson Materials
- Space Intro Video for Educators (Coming Soon!)
- Lesson Plan: Space (PDF)
- Space PowerPoint Presentation for Students (PDF)
- Flight Check Game: Space (Coming Soon!)
- Space Spark Sheet Worksheet (PDF)
Contact Us
Questions? Contact us at 9-apl-faaeducation@faa.gov