Educational Programs – Department of Aviation

Aviation Educational Programs

Aviation education and awareness programs are happening throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, benefiting citizens of all ages. These programs may be structured, full-time activities such as as high school and post secondary aviation programs or one-time events such as airport open houses or Young Eagles days.

Aviation education programs inform participants about the importance of aviation, open young minds to a much wider range of future career possibilities, and invite young and old to experience aviation excitement and fun.

Point of Contact

Aviation Education

Betty Wilson

betty.wilson@doav.virginia.gov

804-225-3783

Scholarships

The Virginia Department of Aviation offers scholarships to high school seniors planning a career in aviation.

Chad Weaver Scholarship

Through the Chad Weaver Scholarship, the Virginia Department of Aviation offers residents $1,000 to complete ground school, take flight lessons, or both. This scholarship is available to people seeking their private pilot’s license or their certified flight instructor’s (CFI) endorsement at a Virginia flight school. The Chad Weaver Scholarship may be used once for a private pilot’s license and once for a CFI endorsement.

Teacher Grants

The Virginia Aviation Teachers Grant program offers reimbursable grants up to $500 to Virginia K-12 teachers in any discipline as long as their lesson involves aviation.

Educational Partners

The Virginia Department of Aviation partners with special organizations that help support each other’s educational programs.

The Virginia Aviation Awards

The Virginia Aviation Awards recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to aviation in Virginia. Awards are presented for Airport Manager of the Year, Aviation Person of the Year, and Aviation Lifetime Achievement.

Virginia Art Contest

The Virginia Department of Aviation offers the Virginia Aviation Art contest for students. The contest has a different aviation theme each year and is open to young people ages 6-17.

Young Artists Contest Brochure

Virginia Photo Contest

The Virginia Aviation Photo Contest offers participants of all ages the opportunity to compete by submitting previously unpublished aviation photos taken in Virginia. The winning photos will be published in the annual Virginia aviation calendar and on DOAV’s website and social media sites.

Women Can Fly

Women Can Fly is a volunteer organization whose mission is to encourage women of all ages to fly, providing hands-on experiences and demonstrations.

EAA Young Eagles

EAA Young Eagles offer first free rides in an airplane for youth ages 8 to 17. The organization encourages those already part of aviation to become a volunteer.

Pathways Flight Academies

The Pathways Flight Academies immerse students in learning to fly while discovering the range of exciting aviation career opportunities available.

Civil Air Patrol Cadet

Through the Civil Air Patrol, youth 12 to 18 can learn about aviation and the military while developing leadership and teamwork skills in a year-round youth program.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

STEM Flights is a national nonprofit organization that connects middle and high school students with volunteer pilot mentors to learn about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

NEXTGEN Aviators

At NEXTGEN Aviator events, students can perform hands-on activities based on real-life aviation applications.

American Rocketry Challenge

The American Rocketry Challenge is the world’s largest rocket contest with nearly 5,000 students nationwide competing each year.

Civil Air Patrol Educators

Civil Air Patrol educators offer free aerospace/STEM lesson plans, activities, textbooks, products, and programs to use in any classroom or afterschool or enrichment programs.

EAA Aero Educate Activities

AeroEducate is a free resource filled with age-based activities and clear pathways to aviation and aerospace industry careers through which K-12 students can discover and ignite their curiosity in aviation.

NASA eClips

NASA eClips is a NASA-supported project that brings together exciting video segments and resources with educational best practices to inspire and educate students to become 21st Century explorers.

AOPA Foundation STEM Curriculum

The AOPA Foundation has created the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, a STEM.org-reviewed educational media.

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