/ YOU CAN FLY / A IS FOR AIRPLANE AOPA's high school curriculum brings STEM smarts, builds a stronger aviation future BY JILL W. TALLMAN T HE H I GH SCHOOL sophomores were clustered around a Cessna 150 parked in a hangar at Ada Regional Airport in Ada, Oklahoma. Their teacher, Chris Eckler, was taking them through a preflight inspection. Just as he was quizzing them about why pilots sump and check fuel samples, a rumbling sound caused heads to swivel. A cream-colored V-tail Bonanza taxied by, and the students were momentarily entranced. Then it was back to the task at hand. PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID TULIS 68 AOPA PILOT / July 2022