teacher Hub

Bringing Aviation STEM to Your Classroom - Made Simple

You don’t need experience in aviation to teach it — that’s what this hub is for.

Here, you’ll find lesson plans, STEM kits, videos, and career exploration tools that make it easy to introduce aviation concepts and spark student interest. You’ll also find resources designed to support your own professional growth.

 

Welcome to the teacher Hub

Inside this hub, you’ll find clear, ready-to-use tools designed specifically for high school teachers who want to bring aviation STEM into the classroom — no prior aviation experience needed.

You’ll also be introduced to Navispire, CAU’s hands-on STEM education initiative created to support teachers with practical classroom materials.

Resources in this hub include:

  • Turnkey lesson plans and worksheets, brought to you by Navispire
  • STEM kits and aviation resources, for purchase through Navispire
  • Professional development opportunities for educators, including:
    • Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
    • College credit opportunities
  • Access to CAU program handouts, open house information, and student life videos
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navispire

Hands-On Aviation STEM for the Classroom

Navispire is CAU’s STEM education initiative designed to make teaching aviation simple, engaging, and accessible — even if you’re new to the subject. Navispire provides ready-to-use STEM kits, lesson plans, and aviation resources created specifically for high school educators. 

Designed to complement the AOPA High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, the materials simplify preparation and can be plugged directly into what you're already teaching.

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STEM Kits

Hands-on, all-in-one aviation STEM kits aligned with the AOPA Curriculum.

Lesson Plans

Engaging plans connected to real-world topics and exploration activities.

Aviation Resources

Test prep software, plotters, and other essentials to support aviation learning.

STEM Kits

Designed specifically for educators like you, our all-in-one STEM resource kits include everything you need to deliver engaging, hands-on lessons.

From vacuum cylinder and pumps to rivet guns, our kits simplify preparation and save you time, letting you focus on what matters most—igniting curiosity and inspiring future innovators.

Sample kits include:

  • Rocket launch activity
  • Balsa wood glider design challenge
  • Tissue paper hot air balloon
  • Wind tunnel activity
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9th Grade STEM Kit Bundle
Navispire’s 9th Grade Kits compliment the AOPA ‘You Can Fly” 9th grade “ Launching into Aviation” and “Exploring Aviation and Aerospace” curriculum. 

 

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10th Grade STEM Kit Bundle
Navispire’s 10th Grade STEM Kits compliment the AOPA ‘You Can Fly” 10th grade “Introduction to Flight” and “Aircraft Systems and Performance” curriculum.
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Balsa Wood Glider Activity
Students will build and fly their own glider, using engineering practices and applying their knowledge of lift and drag.
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Rocket Launch Activity
Students will use engineering practices to design, build, test, modify and retest rockets made during class that will maximize horizontal flight.

Lesson Plans

Bring aviation to life in your classroom with no prep required. Navispire’s growing collection of free lesson plans is designed for teachers who want to introduce aviation STEM in a simple, engaging, and classroom-ready format. Lesson plans include answer keys.

Current lesson plans include:

  • Bessie Coleman
  • Finding a Flight School
  • EAA Aviation Museum
  • Blue Angels
  • Bessie Coleman

    Bessie Coleman: A Pioneer in Aviation
    Introduce students to the inspiring story of Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license. In this lesson, students explore a virtual exhibit from the San Diego Air & Space Museum and learn about her journey, achievements, and impact on aviation. 

     This ready-to-use activity includes guided questions and helps bring aviation history to life while highlighting perseverance and innovation. 

    Download Lesson Plan

  • Finding a Flight School

    Finding the Right Fit: Flight School Exploration
    Help your students take the first steps toward their aviation future with this guided research activity focused on choosing a flight school. In this lesson, students learn the key differences between Part 61 and Part 141 training environments, evaluate real programs across the country, and compare factors such as weather, training timelines, aircraft availability, degree options, and professional pathways.

    Students then take a deeper dive into one school from each category, exploring culture, admissions requirements, events, and student experience. This activity encourages critical thinking, college- and career-readiness skills, and informed decision-making—empowering students to discover which flight training path best aligns with their goals after high school.

    Download Lesson Plan

  • EAA Aviation Museum

    Virtual Tour
    Take students on a virtual trip to one of the world’s premier aviation museums — no travel required.

    This lesson guides learners through the EAA Aviation Museum’s interactive exhibits, including the Eagle Hangar, Homebuilt Aircraft Gallery, and the Air Racing & Aerobatics collection. Students will explore historic aircraft, watch embedded videos, answer research-based questions, and deepen their understanding of aviation history and innovation. Headphones recommended.

    Download Lesson Plan

  • Blue Angels

    Blue Angels & Hall of Fame Lesson Plan
    Take your students on a virtual exploration of one of aviation’s most iconic demonstration teams: the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

    Using the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame online exhibits, this lesson guides students through the history, mission, and evolution of the Blue Angels — including the aircraft they’ve flown, their role in public outreach, and their recognition as Hall of Fame inductees.

    Download Lesson Plan

Sign Up to Receive New Lesson Plans 
Stay updated as new classroom lessons, articles, and aviation STEM resources are released. Subscribe to the Navispire newsletter today.

Aviation Resources

Navispire partners with ASA (Aviation Supplies & Academics) to give educators access to high-quality aviation training tools — with exclusive discounts available only through Navispire.

These resources help you bring real-world aviation concepts into your classroom and support students who want to take their learning further.

Sample kits include:

  • Textbooks and guides
  • Fixed plotter
  • E6B flight computer
  • Kneeboard
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Private Pilot Test Prep
Combined Test Prep softcover book and Prepware software for the Private, Sport, and Recreational Pilot FAA Knowledge exams, supported with answers and explanations. 

 

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Remote Pilot Test Prep
Combined Test Prep softcover book and Prepware software for the Unmanned Aircraft FAA Knowledge exams, supported with answers and explanations.
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VFR Kneeboard
The durable brushed aluminum VFR Kneeboard is a great way to organize your flight data, providing a strong surface for inflight note-taking as well as quick access to important VFR information in the form of a permanent placard.
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Illustrated Guide to Flying Workbook
A companion to An Illustrated Guide to Flying, this workbook offers a variety of questions on key topics. Answer key included.
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California Aeronautical University

Professional Development, College Credit, and Student Support

CAU partners with educators to strengthen aviation education in high school classrooms — whether you’re teaching STEM, advising students, or building a new aviation pathway on campus.

CAU provides the professional development, college credit opportunities, and student-focused resources that complement Navispire’s classroom tools and the AOPA High School Aviation STEM Curriculum.

Professional Development

Build your expertise with CEUs and college credit opportunities.

CAU Information

Access program handouts, open house flyers, and videos to share with students.

Book CAU

Request a classroom presentation, a field trip to CAU, and more — all in one place.

Professional Development

CAU offers continuing education opportunities designed specifically for teachers implementing aviation STEM programs. These offerings help you grow professionally while gaining deeper aviation knowledge you can bring back to your classroom.

Continuing Education Units

CAU offers continuing education credits to educators who complete the in-person training required to teach the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum.

Coming soon!
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College Credit

Along with CEUs, CAU also offers college credit to educators who complete the in-person training to deliver courses within the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum.

Download Flyer

CAU Admissions & Student Exploration Resources

Give your students clear, ready-to-use tools to understand aviation career pathways and what it looks like to study at CAU. Included resources:

CAU Admissions & Program Information
Straightforward details on admissions requirements, acceptance guidelines, next steps for students considering aviation programs, and downloadable program flyers.

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Open House Information
Location-specific flyers and details for Open House events in Bakersfield, San Diego, Phoenix, and Oxnard.

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Videos Highlighting CAU Life & Alumni
Give your students a real look into aviation education with classroom-ready videos, including a CAU overview “hype” video, a day-in-the-life of a pilot student, our Aspiring Pilot Seminar webinar, and inspiring alumni success stories that show where a CAU aviation degree can lead..

SHARE WITH STUDENTS

WELCOME TO CAU

Discover life at California Aeronautical University. Use this hype video to help your students visualize what aviation education at CAU really looks like, and how it could be a viable next step in their journey.

Watch Video

next step For Teachers

Whether you're introducing aviation for the first time or supporting students who are ready to take the next step, CAU is here to help. Choose the option that best supports your classroom needs:

Request Counselor Packet

Counselor Packet
Receive a package of printed materials—brochures, program handouts, a CAU pennant, stickers, and more—to share with your classroom.

➡️ Email Us to Request Packet

Book Classroom Presentation

Classroom Virtual Presentation
Invite our outreach team to speak directly with your class about aviation careers and CAU’s degree pathways. Offered Monday through Friday.

➡️ Book Presentation

Schedule Admissions Meeting

Admissions Meeting
Have a student who is ready for their admissions meeting? Request a meeting during school hours that you and your student (plus their parents) can do at the high school.

➡️ Schedule Meeting

Request Field Trip to CAU

Field Trip to CAU
California Aeronautical University (CAU) invites high school classes to visit our main campus in Bakersfield, California, for a one-of-a-kind aviation and STEM field trip.

➡️ Request Field Trip

upcoming events & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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CAU Open House
Explore our campus, tour our aircraft, meet with admissions, and more.

California Aeronautical University

Learn More
06 Feb
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Aviation Career Day
Join us at Aviation Career Day to discover careers in aviation and aerospace.

California Aeronautical University

Learn More
12 Feb
AOPA Teacher Training
Become trainers for the AOPA Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum.

CAU Phoenix

Email Us