Falcon AeroLab

Experiential, Hands-On, Project-Based

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Available in OpenEd Marketplace

Grade level:

Pre-K - 12

Educational philosophy

Experiential, Hands-On, Project-Based

Why Parents Love It

Families who choose Falcon AeroLab frequently praise the program's exceptional experiential learning environment:

"All students get to fly airplanes, gliders, helicopters, hot air balloons, and their bodies in the vertical wind tunnel." TheHomeSchoolMom

Parents particularly value:

Extraordinary hands-on experiences that aren't available elsewhere
Expert instructors who are actual professionals in aerospace fields
Highly motivating activities that spark enthusiasm for STEM subjects
Tangible project completion (students build and keep their own drone and RC airplane)
The program's tuition-free status, making high-quality STEM education accessible

Many parents report their children discovering new passions or career paths through these experiences:

"My daughter came home excited to study math because she saw how it applied to her flight lessons." Parent testimonial

For homeschooling families, Falcon AeroLab solves the challenge of providing advanced STEM education. Parents appreciate that their children receive professional instruction in subjects many parents wouldn't feel equipped to teach themselves, all while maintaining the flexibility of their homeschooling schedule for other subjects.

The program's ability to make abstract concepts concrete through real-world application resonates strongly with parents:

"These programs awaken students' interests through exciting and engaging, hands-on STEM content." Parent advocate

Considerations to Keep in Mind

While overwhelmingly positive, parents do note some challenges that families should consider:

Introductory courses are deliberately broad rather than deep ("mile-wide, inch-deep" approach)
As a supplemental program, Falcon AeroLab doesn't cover core subjects like math and language arts
High demand can lead to waitlists for popular courses or locations
Some families face significant travel time to reach the nearest AeroLab site
Weather conditions can occasionally force rescheduling of flight activities

For families using the online option through OpenEd, a limitation is the inability to join in-person labs, even if they live nearby:

"Online courses do not include participation in the in-person AeroLab programs." OpenEd | Falcon AeroLab

Some parents note that the program's intensity increases significantly in advanced levels, which can surprise students who initially saw it as purely recreational.

Parent Involvement Reality

Falcon AeroLab requires relatively low parent involvement compared to typical homeschool curricula. The program is designed for:

Drop-off instruction where expert staff handle all teaching
No parent planning or lesson preparation for AeroLab subjects
Minimal grading or assessment responsibilities for parents

Parents primarily need to:

Transport students to weekly classes and occasional field trips
Coordinate scheduling with other academic requirements
Ensure students have any required materials
Arrange flight experiences (though Falcon AeroLab pays for them)

For homeschool families, Falcon AeroLab significantly reduces teaching burden for STEM subjects while parents remain responsible for other academic areas. This balance allows parents to focus on subjects they feel comfortable teaching while outsourcing specialized STEM instruction to experts.

Who Thrives with Falcon AeroLab?

Based on parent feedback, Falcon AeroLab works particularly well for:

Students with interest in aviation, aerospace, or hands-on STEM activities
Homeschooled children who need enrichment beyond what parents can provide
Middle and high school students exploring potential STEM careers
Teens seeking industry credentials (like FAA drone or private pilot certifications)
Learners who struggle with traditional textbook approaches but engage with experiential education

Students who may find challenges include:

Those needing very deep focus in a specific subject from the beginning
Families unable to commit to regular transportation to classes
Students who prefer purely theoretical learning over hands-on activities

The Bottom Line

Falcon AeroLab provides exceptional STEM enrichment through real-world aerospace experiences. As a supplement rather than a complete curriculum, it excels at inspiring students and providing opportunities they simply can't get elsewhere - all with minimal cost to families. The program's combination of expert instruction, hands-on learning, and minimal parent teaching burden makes it particularly valuable for homeschooling families seeking quality STEM education.

For many families, the program's strengths far outweigh its limitations. As one parent summarized the program: "It's like NASA training for kids – and it's free!"

Subjects covered

Core subjects: Aviation and aeronautics, engineering, technology, applied science

Key topics covered: Principles of flight, aircraft systems, aviation history, flight science and mechanics, aerospace mechanics, drone design and piloting, cybersecurity, engineering fabrication, entrepreneurship

Special emphasis: Hands-on experiences including flight simulations, building and maintaining aircraft, drone pilot certification preparation, and real-world aerospace applications

Younger student programs: Basics of aviation, rocketry, natural science topics like weather and geology

Leadership and special topics: Adventure-based leadership, distinguished speaker series featuring industry experts

Teaching Format

Hands-on, in-person labs: Students attend in-person classes once a week (approximately 6 hours) during the school year

Lab-based structure: Classes include instructional time, workshops, and field activities led by expert instructors

Multiple campuses/partner sites: Operates at various locations in partnership with schools and organizations

Online/hybrid offerings: Online learning option available through a partnership with My Tech High (OpenEd) for remote students

Assessment approach: Minimal grading or assessment responsibilities for parents; instructors handle teaching and mentoring

Implementation flexibility: Designed as a supplemental program; parents remain responsible for core subjects outside of AeroLab

Community engagement: Parents encouraged to communicate with staff and attend special events, but not required to volunteer

Pricing

Tuition:Free. Falcon AeroLab classes are publicly funded when taken through affiliated charter schools, homeschool enrichment programs, or district partnerships.

Materials/Lab Fees:Nominal fees for personal project kits. Families are typically responsible for certain supply costs, especially for items the student keeps (e.g., drone and R/C airplane kits).

Optional Add-Ons: Some optional activities (like extra camps or additional flights) could be paid separately if not covered by the program.

Enrollment Mechanism: Students usually enroll in a partner school or umbrella program that contracts with Falcon AeroLab.

Sustainability: The program relies on public funds and is actively seeking to maintain funding for continued accessibility.

Parent Involvement

Low to Moderate involvement required

Instructional role: Low parent involvement in instruction - Falcon AeroLab staff handle teaching

Logistics and support: Moderate involvement in transportation and coordination

Daily commitment: One day a week for classes; minimal daily homework

Preparation: Parents ensure students have required materials and arrange flight experiences

Community and communication: Parents encouraged to stay in touch with staff, but no obligation to volunteer

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