EXPLORER LEVEL STRUCTURE

The following foundational level structure creates a pathway foundation:

1. Aviation Discovery

2. Hands-On STEM

3. Real-Life Experiences

4. Aviation Community

5. Family Navigation

6. Portfolio & Badges

Explorer Level - GOALS

Phase Goals:

• Develop aviation curiosity

• Understand basic flight concepts

• Explore aviation careers

• Experience aviation environments

• Build STEM confidence

• Begin aviation vocabulary

• Connect learning to real-world aviation

• Develop observational and problem-solving skills

AVIATION DISCOVERY

Intro to Flight

• How airplanes fly

• Lift, drag, thrust, gravity

• Types of aircraft

• Airports

• Runways

• Air traffic control basics

Aviation History

• Wright Brothers

• Amelia Earhart

• Tuskegee Airmen

• Apollo missions

• Colorado aviation history

Aviation Around Us

• Commercial aviation

• Military aviation

• Rescue aviation

• Agricultural aviation

• Drones

• Space exploration

Aviation Careers

Broad categories:

• pilots

• mechanics

• engineers

• airport operations

• flight attendants

• meteorologists

• drone operators

• aerospace designers

HANDS-ON STEM EXPERIENCES

Build & Fly Projects

• paper airplanes

• foam gliders

• rubber band aircraft

• stomp rockets

• bottle rockets

• drone demonstrations

Aviation STEM Labs

• Bernoulli principle demos

• wing design experiments

• weather experiments

• navigation activities

• map reading

• runway design challenges

Simulator Exploration

• simple flight simulators

• introductory controls

• aviation games

• basic navigation

Engineering Challenges

• build an airport

• design an aircraft

• create a rescue mission

• weather problem-solving

REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES

Suggested Explorer Experiences

Tier 1 Experiences

• Wings Over the Rockies

• Exploration of Flight

• aviation museum scavenger hunts

• aviation-themed restaurants

• FlyteCo Tower

Tier 2 Experiences

• airport observation day

• airport operations tour

• aircraft maintenance tour

• pilot meet-and-greet

• weather station tour

Tier 3 Experiences

• EAA Young Eagles flight

• intro simulator session

• ATC exposure

• aviation STEM day

AVIATION COMMUNITY

Families stay because of community identity.

Build: Future Aviators Club

• badges

• aviation shirts

• stickers

• patches

• aviation passport book

Monthly Aviation Challenges

• airport code challenge

• aircraft identification

• flight tracker challenge

• aviation trivia

Aviation Speaker Series

• pilots

• military aviators

• mechanics

• air traffic controllers

• medevac crews

• aerospace engineers

FAMILY NAVIGATION SYSTEM

• how aviation pathways work

• what ages to start

• what scholarships exist

• how flight training works

• how aviation careers connect

Create: Explorer Parent Guide

Topics:

• aviation terminology

• pathway overview

• aviation opportunities by age

• Colorado aviation organizations

• scholarships

• aviation books

• aviation movies/documentaries

• local aviation events

Explorer Badges

• First Airport Visit

• Aircraft Spotter

• Young Eagles Participant

• Aviation Museum Explorer

• STEM Builder

• Junior Air Traffic Controller

• Weather Watcher

• Aviation Safety Explorer

You could eventually turn this into:

True North Aviation Passport

That becomes memorable branding.

EXPLORER LEVEL RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

These are VERY strong additions.

Aviation Organizations

EAA Young Eagles

AOPA You Can Fly

AeroEducate

Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education

NASA STEM Engagement

ADDITIONS YOU MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF YET

These are where your pathway can become elite.

Aviation Portfolio System

Students track:

• flights

• museum visits

• projects

• badges

• reflections

• STEM activities

By high school:

• have a REAL aviation portfolio

Aviation Reading Path

Create age-based reading lists:

• picture books

• aviation biographies

• aerospace books

• aviation devotionals

• aviation leadership books

Aircraft Identification Program

• aircraft spotting

• tail numbers

• airline identification

• military aircraft

• helicopter types

Could become: Junior Plane Spotter Program

Flight Tracker Activities

Use:

• FlightRadar24

• ADS-B Exchange

Kids track:

• weather

• routes

• aircraft

• emergency flights

Colorado Aviation Adventure Map

This could become a SIGNATURE True North feature.

Families “collect”: airports visited, museums explored, aviation events attended, flight experiences

Gamify the pathway.

Aviation Leadership Development

Even Explorer students can begin:

• communication

• teamwork

• confidence

• responsibility

• aviation safety mindset

Aviation Entrepreneurship

• design airlines

• build airport businesses

• create aviation inventions

• run model airline projects

DRONE INTRODUCTION

Explorer Level:

• drone safety

• basic operations

• aerial photography

• aviation rules

• AOPA’s curriculum already includes drone pathways.

EXPLORER LEVEL YEAR STRUCTURE

This could become your official framework.

FALL — DISCOVER

• intro to aviation

• museums

• airports

• aircraft

• Young Eagles prep

WINTER — BUILD

• STEM labs

• engineering

• simulators

• weather

• navigation

SPRING — EXPERIENCE

• field trips

• Young Eagles

• airport tours

• pilot interactions

SUMMER — EXPLORE

• aviation camps

• airshows

• family aviation challenges

• optional flight experiences

Description: Ignite your student’s curiosity and passion for flight! Students will explore real-world opportunities and gain access to unique, hands-on experiences. Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Take a first flight* through EAA Young Eagles events

  • Check out this “Young Eagles — 30 Years of Inspiring the Next Generation” video

• Begin their aviation journey with free private pilot ground school (first step toward earning pilot certificate)

• Earn free introductory flight lesson after completing first three volumes of ground school course

• Receive free student memberships to Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Soaring Society of America (SSA), and Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) after first flight

• Gain access to free student membership with AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association), connecting them to nationwide aviation community and valuable career-building resources

• Enjoy free admission to 400+ science and technology museums across country

• Access AeroEducate, 24/7 online platform featuring aviation activities, design challenges, and opportunities to earn badges while learning Engineering Design Process

• Participate in optional aviation field trips and industry experiences through our Aviation Field Trip Series, including museums, airport tours, air traffic control visits, etc.

*Free flight and resources listed above are for ages 8-17
**AOPA membership is for ages 13-20

Additional Aviation Resources
Aviation magazines, flight school and post-secondary scholarships, career exploration pathways, glider training resources, and ongoing opportunities as students progress in their aviation journey

Skills Developed
Real-world STEM skills including problem-solving, critical thinking, and engineering design

…and many more aviation opportunities as students progress.

*Free flight and resources listed above are for ages 8–17
**AOPA membership is for ages 13–20

Parent Support
Our track provides step-by-step guidance for parents to navigate the aviation pathway, ensuring they can support their student’s journey every step of the way. Optional kick-off training and parent orientation are included, with replay access for convenience.

Preparation

• Kick-Off Email: A week before scheduled annual Kick-Off & Parent Orientation Zoom Meeting, we’ll send detailed email to help you and your student prepare for this learning experience

• Parent Resource Page: Access Aviation Exploration Parent Resource Page for critical information and step-by-step guidance through this virtual track

• Kick-Off & Orientation Zoom Meeting: Join us on Friday, August 28, 2026, from 2:30–3:30pm for the Aviation Exploration Kick-Off & Parent Orientation (replay available)

  • Can’t attend live? No problem! Sign up anyway and plan to watch the replay to get all the guidance you need.

Join our online Colorado STEM Homeschoolers community for additional support and connection!

Cost: Free for Members | $5 for Non-Members

Age Range: 2nd-12th

2026–2027 Program: Offered year-round with 24/7 access to all content and resources

Registration:

*Registration always opens first for Members and then to the public if have spots left.

Pathfinder Level - Middle School

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Flight Ready Level - High School

AVIATION EXPLORATION SERIES

Description: For Colorado homeschool families interested in aviation, aerospace, and flight. Join us as we explore the many careers, technologies, and history that make aviation possible through immersive, behind-the-scenes learning experiences.

Through real-world learning experiences, students will explore the science of flight, air traffic control, airport operations, military and civilian aviation, aerospace technology, and aviation history. Along the way, they’ll meet aviation professionals, tour facilities not typically open to the public, and gain insight into the many career pathways within the aviation industry.

Field Trips, Locations & Dates:

• USAFA Planetarium (Colorado Springs)

• USAFA Davis Airfield (Colorado Springs)

• Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum (Denver)

• Exploration of Flight (Centennial)

• National Museum of World War II Aviation (Colorado Springs)

• FAA Colorado Springs Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT/TRACON)

• Denver Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON)

• Historic FlyteCo Tower (Former Stapleton Air Traffic Control Tower) (Denver)

• Airport Tours (Denver & Colorado Springs)

• High Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (HAATS) (Eagle) (when available)

This series is in tandem with our Aviation Educational Track.

Join our online Colorado STEM Homeschoolers community as well!

Dates: Throughout the year, timing will vary based on availability for each tour.

*Registration always opens first for Members and then to the public if have spots left.