The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has received a $498,000 grant from the FAA to enable the expansion of its You Can Fly High School initiative. The FAA has awarded $10 million in grants to 23 organizations and schools to help support the next generation of aviation professionals.

According to AOPA, the You Can Fly High School initiative currently serves over 16,000 students in 43 states. The program includes an aviation Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum to participating schools for grades 9 to 12 and includes teacher training.

AOPA plans to use the grant to train additional teachers throughout the country using in-person sessions, helping educators “maximize their involvement with the AOPA Foundation High School initiative.”

The organization was also awarded an Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grant, which supports a new initiative to help prepare Kentucky high school students for careers in the aviation field such as becoming a pilot, aerospace engineer, or unmanned aircraft systems operator.

“Leveraging the exciting world of aviation to build a well-designed and engaging curriculum will launch thousands of young adults on the path to a rewarding future,” said AOPA President Mark Baker.