Help turn curiosity into opportunity.

A child’s opportunity to explore science, aviation or the ocean should not depend on what their family can afford.

Community supporters have already donated a boat, two kayaks and 15 life jackets. Your gift helps with the next practical steps across AMCAI’s youth programs: learning materials, safety supplies, equipment preparation and educational experiences. Our boat still needs a compatible engine and rigging before on-water learning can begin.

Would you contribute $25—or any amount comfortable for you—to help turn this community support into hands-on opportunity? If you cannot give, please personally share this fundraiser with one person who cares about young people.

I’m Reinaldo Valentino, board chairman of the American Center for Aviation Innovation, Inc. (AMCAI). Based in Miami, AMCAI is building a nationwide effort to help young people in grades 6–12 discover pathways into aviation, aerospace, maritime and emerging technology careers. Our hands-on programs begin in South Florida; our mission reaches beyond one school or one state.

BUILDING OPPORTUNITY FOR AMERICA’S FUTURE WORKFORCE

AMCAI is here to turn curiosity into practical skills, confidence and opportunity. We are developing free STEM curricula, teacher resources and a STEM Lab model for member schools across the United States. Keeping these resources free requires sponsors and donors to fund lesson development, teacher materials, ongoing updates and program support. Your sponsorship helps us offer these resources without passing curriculum costs on to member schools. This $50,000 first milestone will strengthen our local learning programs and help develop resources for wider national use. We invite schools, educators, employers, donors and volunteers nationwide to help build this effort. National expansion will grow as resources and school partnerships are established.

WHAT YOUR GIFT SUPPORTS

• Two campus STEM labs at our educational partner, American High School Academy (AHSA): science activities, engineering projects, tools, lab consumables and safety supplies.

• Aviation and aerospace: flight simulation, aircraft systems, rocketry and supervised learning through restoration of our donated 1947 Navion.

• Drones and emerging technology: UAS, robotics, electronics, sensors, CAD, 3D printing and AI learning.

• Two Code Clubs supported by the Raspberry Pi Foundation: computers, coding resources and hands-on projects.

• Maritime and environmental STEM: kayak field science, water-quality monitoring and learning connected to the Everglades and Biscayne Bay.

• Our Floating STEM Lab: a donated Sea Fox 217 that needs a compatible engine, rigging, safety equipment and marine-science supplies before on-water operations can begin.

• Student scholarships and educational participation assistance, subject to available funds and program criteria.

• Educational field trips: transportation, admission costs and learning materials.

• Free curricula for AMCAI member schools: development of lessons, teacher resources and project materials.

• AMCAI Cadet Corps: youth leadership, teamwork, community service and aviation, aerospace and maritime STEM activities, including learning materials, field trips and assistance with uniforms and participation costs, subject to available funding and program requirements.

• Career preparation: mentoring and development of courses and skill badges.

Curricula and courses still in development will be announced as they become ready.

These programs connect practical skills with teamwork, leadership, service and exploration of future careers. We are also developing eVTOL and advanced air mobility career-preparation coursework; that course is not yet launched.

WE ALREADY HAVE A FOUNDATION—HELP US BUILD ON IT

AHSA provides STEM lab and classroom space at its North and South campuses, along with phone and internet services. Supporters have donated two kayaks, a kayak welder and repair kit, the Sea Fox, and the Navion restoration aircraft. Sea Tow Miami has donated 15 life jackets. These equipment donations are separate from the money raised through this fundraiser.

The Navion is not airworthy. It is a student restoration project, and we also hold a second Navion airframe as a potential parts source. We are separately seeking a usable training aircraft through donation, a donated lease, or sponsorship. Flight and on-water activities depend on readiness and approved arrangements.

WATCH THE LEARNING IN ACTION

Our Everglades video shows AHSA students engaged in hands-on STEM learning and environmental stewardship:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkKT7RnMd88

HOW WE WILL USE CONTRIBUTIONS

Our initial fundraising milestone is $50,000 to support priority needs across AMCAI’s youth programs. It is not the total cost of all projects. If we exceed $50,000, additional contributions will support these same mission areas, including wider access to free curricula, cadet participation, scholarships and hands-on STEM opportunities.

Gifts will help meet needs across these STEM labs and programs, including scholarships, field trips and curriculum development: working equipment, computers and software resources, tools, consumables, safety supplies, marine equipment, project preparation and supervised educational activities. We will prioritize practical needs as funds and suitable donated equipment become available, and share progress updates as projects advance. This fundraiser supports the labs collectively; it does not promise that one fundraising milestone will fully fund an aircraft or make the boat operational.

AMCAI is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization from AHSA, our Cognia-accredited educational partner. This fundraiser benefits American Center for Aviation Innovation, Inc., EIN 99-2049468. Learn about our projects and view our IRS determination letter at https://amcai.org/

BECOME AN AMCAI SPONSOR

Help keep STEM curricula free for member schools and support the AMCAI Cadet Corps. Businesses, foundations and individuals can support cadet participation, a student group, a STEM lab or a defined project phase. Cash, suitable equipment, professional services, transport, storage and employee mentoring can all help.

Our published sponsorship levels are Bronze $350; Silver $500; Gold $1,500; Platinum $2,500; Aviator Elite $5,000; and Founders Circle $10,000 and above. Recognition and any benefits are discussed and agreed in writing; a donation through this fundraiser does not automatically purchase sponsorship benefits. Aircraft recognition depends on aircraft readiness and a separate agreement.

Explore sponsorship: https://amcai.org/partners/

See current project needs: https://amcai.org/campaigns/

Contact us through this fundraiser or our website with the project or program you would like to support so we can discuss its needs and record any agreed designation.

EVERY CONTRIBUTION MOVES A PROJECT FORWARD

Give $10, $25, $50—or any amount you can. Even $1 helps. If you cannot give financially, please share this campaign, subscribe to our YouTube channel, introduce us to a potential supporter, or ask about donating serviceable equipment, parts, an aviation headset, tools, professional services or mentoring time.

For equipment and sponsorship inquiries, use the contact option on this fundraiser or visit:

https://amcai.org/contact/

Thank you for helping students turn curiosity into skills—and skills into possibilities.