Reference shelf · Curated by NCASE

Trusted partners. Working programs.

An editorial index of organizations, scholarships, competitions, and learning programs for the field. Curated from federal agencies, member organizations, museums, and partner nonprofits — resources educators can use as they build aviation and aerospace pathways.

5 sections · 27 resources · Curated by NCASE

Start with your role

I am a…

Choose the perspective that fits you. Each path leads to resources NCASE has organized for that audience.

Looking for NCASE's structured databases — scholarships, schools, internships?

Browse the databases →

Christa McAuliffe in her NASA flight suit, holding a Space Shuttle model — Christa McAuliffe, 1948–1986 · First teacher selected for spaceflight · Portrait: NASA

This page is dedicated to

Christa McAuliffe, First Educator Astronaut, who gave her life to inspire kids to pursue aviation and aerospace careers — and to all the passionate teachers who inspire the young.

Aviation magazines for kids Print & digital reading

Reading that turns curiosity into a career path.

There are also many magazines for kids to learn more about aviation and aerospace careers.

Middle school

Let’s Go Aerospace!

Middle schoolers have their own dedicated magazine, Let’s Go Aerospace!, which seeks to inspire by creating the curiosity that will make a difference in an industry transforming into a new paradigm. It educates with stories about opportunities to dig into specific industry details in a focused and/or hands-on approach. And it encourages exploration — designed to introduce youth to the many new, exciting, and innovative aerospace advancements.

The Sky Is Unlimited aviation and aerospace career guide graphic — The Sky Is Unlimited WAI career guide

WAI career guide

The Sky Is Unlimited: Careers in Aviation and Aerospace

It also offers The Sky Is Unlimited: Careers in Aviation and Aerospace, the WAI career-guide resource for aviation and aerospace enthusiasts, educators, parents, and WAI members and friends. Explore all the career possibilities in an industry full of innovation and technology, connecting people and products every day.

AIAA · Career guide

Careers in Aerospace

AIAA’s Careers in Aerospace guide introduces students to the many ways aerospace professionals design, build, test, and support aircraft and spacecraft. It is a starting point for exploring education, degree fields, skills training, apprenticeships, scholarships, and mentoring.

Women in Aviation

Aviation for Girls

Women in Aviation publishes Aviation for Girls semi-annually, targeted at girls ages 8–17. Each 36-page issue features fun activities, project ideas, aviation book recommendations, and unique aviation stories — great for young readers as well as classroom, club, and school education efforts. Experienced female aviators offer insight and advice as positive role models to inspire girls to pursue their dreams, and stories from young women around the world encourage readers to think about the importance of STEM studies for their future. WAI also publishes Aviation for Women.

Women in Aviation · App

Aviation for Girls App

The Aviation for Girls App extends Women in Aviation’s youth programming with digital activities, career videos, scholarship information, and aviation inspiration for elementary, middle-school, and high-school students.

Girls in Aviation Day Women in Aviation

Women in Aviation · Event

Girls in Aviation Day

Annual one-day worldwide event introducing girls ages 8–17 to aviation and aerospace careers through local chapters, mentors, and hands-on workshops. Attendance is free at participating events.

Youth in aviation

AviNation

AviNation exists to attract, educate, and empower youth in aviation. The magazine gives readers insight into the future of aviation by focusing on aviation students, programs, events, and innovative approaches to the promotion and continued growth of the industry. Its Aviation Education and Career Stories help students hear how others like them achieved their goals.

Career stories

Velocity R Aviation Foundation Newsletter

For personal stories of how aviation professionals achieved their careers, sign up for the Velocity R Aviation Foundation newsletter, which highlights a different career in each issue.

Career deep-dive

What an air traffic control career is all about

Much is being written about the need for more air traffic controllers. Here’s what an ATC career is really all about — the training, the work, and the pathways in.

Skill builder

Plane Spotter guides

Ever wonder, as you gaze skyward, what just passed overhead? Get a jump on aviation and aerospace by learning how to identify commercial airliners and military aircraft.

For families & students

How to Find the Right Flight School

How to Find the Right Flight School gives you actionable intelligence on evaluating a flight school — including the red flags to look for and the essential questions to ask. Valuable flight schools offer mentorship and support both inside and outside the classroom. The pamphlet covers what both domestic and international students should know.

Government NASA, FAA & partners

Where federal agencies open the door.

Both NASA and the FAA have robust sites helping teachers, parents, kids, and guidance counselors explore aviation and aerospace careers — and the pathways to a job in our industries. The guides, lesson collections and state hubs below are where to start.

FAA · For educators

Educators Guide: Our Future Stars

FAA · K-12 curriculum

K-12 Education Resources

NASA · Learning resources

NASA Space to Learn

NASA · Skilled technical workforce

NASA State Hubs

NASA · Aeronautics research

NASA Aeronautics STEM

ISS National Lab · Education videos

ISS Education Videos

ISS National Lab · Lesson plans

ISS Lesson Plans

AMA · STE(A)M partners

AMA STE(A)M Partners

General resources 14 curated partners

General aerospace education resources for classrooms and programs.

Lesson banks, classroom activities, virtual programs, museum learning resources, and curriculum from federal agencies, museums, nonprofits, and aerospace education partners.

NOAA · Federal Agency

Trusted partners. Working programs.

I am a…

Student

Educator

Parent or caregiver

Industry professional

Reading that turns curiosity into a career path.

Where federal agencies open the door.

General aerospace education resources for classrooms and programs.

NOAA Scijinks

AMA Flight School

Blue Origin Club for the Future

How Things Fly

Learning Resources from the National Air and Space Museum

Axiom STEAM

Civil Air Patrol

Limitless Space Institute

INFINITY Science Center

Space for Teachers

Aldrin Family Foundation

Flying Scholarships for Disabled People

Able Flight

Aerobility

Aviation/aerospace education curricula for classrooms and programs.

AOPA High School STEM Curriculum

Choose Aerospace STEM Curriculum

Drobots Company Drone STEM Curriculum

Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AeroEducate

Federal Aviation Administration K-12 Resources

FAA curriculum Guide for Middle Schools

Gaetz Aerospace Academy

International Space Station Lesson Plans

Space Foundation Education

Space Foundation Discovery Center

Sporty’s Learn to Fly for High Schools

Flying Scholarships for Disabled People

Able Flight

Aerobility

AMA STE(A)M Partners

Student competitions that make aerospace hands-on.

Electric Propulsion Innovation Challenge (EPIC)

National Space Society — Education

FIRST Robotics

American Rocketry Challenge

International Aviation Art Contest

Federal Aviation Administration Airport Design Challenge

Vertical Flight Challenge

Airbus Quantum Challenge

Space Foundation National Space Sustainability Competition

International Space Station (ISS) Quiz

ISS Expedition Space Lab

Drone Soccer

Crew Concept Drone Lab

Drobots Company National Aerial Robotics League Drone Competition for Schools and Clubs

International Space Art and Poetry Contest

American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics Design Competitions

American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics Design/Build/Fly Competition

General Aviation Manufacturers Association Aviation Design Challenge

Aerospace Maintenance Council Competition

The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (REF) Aerial Drone Competition

Skills USA Championships

World Skills Competition

State and Local Competitions

Aerospace Robotics Competition (ARC)

Drones in School

NASA NCAS

State, federal, and nonprofit partners in the field.

Virginia Department of Aviation

NASA Aeronautics and STEM

FAA STEM AVSED Program

Dee Howard International Education Foundation

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association

Space Center Houston — Educator Resources