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Canadian Geographic Education

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Aviation Nation: Canada’s aviation stories take flight in your classroom

Explore the pioneers. Discover the innovations. Inspire the next generation.

Canadian Geographic Education is thrilled to partner with the Royal Canadian Air Force Foundation to bring Aviation Nation—a dynamic new learning resource—to classrooms across the country. And yes…there’s an amazing national contest too (scroll down for details)!

Aviation Nation is a visually rich, story-driven journey through Canada’s aviation history—told through the lens of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The book was officially launched on April 1, 2025, during an exciting event at Canadian Geographic Education’s headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. Click below to check out some highlights from VIPs and students who attended the event.

Click here to watch a video of

highlights from the book launch event!

Aimed at readers aged 9 to 12 (Grades 4–8), this engaging book introduces students to fearless pilots, brilliant engineers, and trailblazing astronauts who helped shape Canada’s legacy in the skies. From the country’s first powered flight in 1909 to future missions around the moon, this book takes students on a high-flying adventure through time.

Highlights include:

  • Aerial mapping of the North
  • The birth of pararescue
  • Canadian-made innovations like the G-suit and flight recorder
  • Historic aircraft, missions, and unsung heroes

Free, ready-to-use classroom resources

In 2024, we celebrated 100 years of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)—a century of service, innovation, and adventure in the skies. Bring that legacy into your classroom, with engaging stories about Canada’s most famous aviators, historic flights, groundbreaking aircraft, and the innovators behind it all.

Aviation Nation comes with expertly crafted teaching materials created in partnership with the Faculty of Education at Wilfrid Laurier University, making it the perfect launchpad for curriculum-aligned, cross-subject learning.

What you’ll get:

All registered members of Canadian Geographic Education can request one FREE copy of Aviation Nation for their classroom by emailing [email protected]. A copy will be mailed to you within two weeks of receiving your request. 

Click here for instructions on how to purchase additional copies of the book

Classroom contest: Bring aviation history to life

In celebration of the RCAF Centennial, classrooms across Canada are invited to participate in an exciting national contest. Create. Reflect. Showcase—and you could win a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your class.

Contest period

The contest will run from September 8, 2025 (World Literacy Day) to November 11, 2025 (Remembrance Day). Winners will be announced late November, 2025.

How to enter

  1. Use the book and classroom resources:
    • Engage your students (Grades 4–8) with Aviation Nation and the accompanying classroom resources.
  2. Explore, create, reflect:
    • Have your students express what they’ve learned through a creative submission. Choose one of the following formats:
      • A class photo essay related to an aviation activity or project.
      • A class art project using drawings, posters or other forms of media.
      • A short class video showcasing student’s reflections and work.
  3. Submit your entry:
    1. Teachers can submit one entry per classroom between September 8 and November 11, 2025, using the form below.

Prizes

All entries will be judged on creativity, originality, and connection to the content of Aviation Nation.

First place

  • An all-expenses-paid one-day field trip for your class to a local aviation museum or related institution (organized for the 2025–2026 school year).
  • A class set of Aviation Nation books plus one copy for the school library.
  • A signed copy of Pathway to the Stars – 100 Years of the Royal Canadian Air Force for your school library

Second place

  • A virtual or in-person presentation by an individual featured in Aviation Nation.
  • A class set of Aviation Nation books plus one copy for the school library.

Third place

  • A class set of Aviation Nation books plus one copy for the school library.

Eligibility

  • Open to all Canadian classrooms (Grades 4–8), including public, private, First Nations, and homeschool groups (which must have 3 or more students registered with the province).
  • Only one entry per classroom.
  • Submissions must be received between September 8 and November 11, 2025.
  • Entries must be original and created by students as part of a classroom activity.
  • Note: if students’ faces are shown, please ensure consent has been provided by parents/guardians.

Entry form

If you experience any issues when submitting, please email [email protected] for help.

Teacher's name*
School address*
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Attendees at the official book launch

On April 1, 2025, over 180 students from Grades 5 and 6 gathered at Canadian Geographic Education’s headquarters in Ottawa for the official launch of Aviation Nation. Special guests included:

  • Cathy Priestman, Executive Director, The Pepper Pod
  • Jeremy Diamond, Founding CEO, RCAF Foundation
  • Robert “Scratch” Mitchell, RCAF fighter pilot, filmmaker
  • Tom Jenkins, Co-author of Aviation Nation and Pathway to the Stars
  • Kristin Long, RCAF Foundation Chair and Westjet Captain
  • Dr. Maria Cantalini-Williams – Dean, Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Education
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