AFA Opens Applications for 2025 Educator Grants 

The Air & Space Forces Association (AFA) is now accepting applications for its 2025 Educator Grant program. The program will award $600 grants to 40 K-12 teachers nationwide to support innovative STEM and aerospace learning projects that strengthen classroom curriculum and directly benefit students. 

The program funds hands-on activities such as STEM kits, classroom science supplies, robotics materials and resources helping educators introduce aerospace concepts and deepen student engagement. Applications are reviewed competitively by aerospace education experts, with awards announced in February 2026. 

“AFA believes that one of the most significant ways to impact student learning is by challenging then in unique and innovative ways,” said Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.), AFA President & CEO. “Our educator grants help teachers bring high-impact, imaginative STEM experiences directly to students—experiences that might not be possible without this support.” 

Applications must be submitted online by Monday, December 15. Click here to apply.  

Hear from Past Participants: 

“By integrating real-world applications of science and engineering, students became actively involved in their learning,” said Beverly Stambaugh of Fairborn Middle School in Fairborn, Ohio. “This approach helped them see STEM not merely as academic subjects, but as essential fields that can lead to meaningful change in society. The experience cultivated a sense of achievement among students, inspiring them to explore STEM-related areas further. Through hands-on activities and collaborative projects, students developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are crucial for their future endeavors. Moreover, the project emphasized the importance of diversity in STEM fields, ensuring that all students felt included and empowered. As a result, the project not only transformed individual mindsets but also contributed to a broader movement towards equity in STEM education.” 

“The project had a significant and lasting impact on our students,” said Kelsy Achtenberg of the Innovation School in Bismark, N.D. “For many of our learners, it was a transformative experience. Students not only learned the science of flight and the basics of coding but also gained confidence in their ability to work through challenges and see a project through concept to completion. The process of assembling drones, writing flight code, and testing designs in a physical space made learning tangible and memorable. One 7th grade student shared, ‘Before this, I didn’t think coding was something I could do. But after making my drone fly and do tricks, I realized I could learn hard things and actually enjoy it.’ It was more than a lesson—it was an experience that ignited curiosity and encouraged them to see themselves as capable learners and future innovators.” 

“Students were exposed to opportunities that they otherwise would not have had the opportunity to,” said Chris Brown of Glandorf Elementary School in Glandorf, Ohio. “The flight sim with yoke and pedals is something many students said they never knew existed outside of an arcade. One student exclaimed, ‘I feel like a real pilot’ while operating the sim. When informed about pilot shortages in the industry, some said they would consider that as a potential career. A few students have family in the Air Force so that could also be a route they could take according to them.” 

About AFA 

The Air & Space Forces Association is an independent, non-profit 501(c)3 association dedicated to advocating for the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Space Force, Airmen, Guardians, and their Families. Founded in 1946, AFA is the single largest entity of its kind focused on air and space power. With more than 130,000 members and 200 chapters spread around the world, our mission is to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the foundation of a strong National Defense; to honor and support Airmen, Guardians, and their Families; and to remember and respect the enduring heritage of the Air and Space Forces.