CAF Education Headquarters Earns Top Honors from North Texas Families
DALLAS, Texas (July 6, 2026) — The Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center (NAEC) has been named the 2026 STEM Educator of the Year and selected as one of the Top 20 Places to Take Kids in Dallas by North Texas families in KidsOutAndAbout.com's annual readers' survey.
"The recognition is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the families we serve," said Nathan Huegen, Vice President of Education for the Commemorative Air Force. "Every student who discovers a passion for science, every family who connects with history, and every educator who leaves inspired helps strengthen the CAF's mission, not just here in Dallas but across the country."
The annual KidsOutAndAbout.com survey encourages families to vote for their favorite attractions, museums, educational organizations, and destinations that significantly impact their communities. Besides earning the title of Dallas' STEM Educator of the Year, the NAEC was also chosen as one of the region's Top 20 Places to Take Kids, ranking it among North Texas' most well-known family destinations.
The Henry B. Tippie National Aviation Education Center has been voted best STEM Educator in Dallas! Checkout the list here.
Located at the CAF's national headquarters in Dallas, the NAEC serves as more than a museum. It also functions as the organization's education incubator, where innovative curriculum, hands-on STEM experiences, and immersive history programs are developed, tested, and refined before being shared with CAF Units nationwide. By combining the stories of America's military aviation heritage with engaging educational experiences, the NAEC helps advance the CAF's mission to Educate, Inspire, and Honor.
Since opening in 2021, the NAEC has become the cornerstone of the CAF's educational outreach. Through school field trips, summer camps, educator professional development, youth aviation programs, and immersive history experiences, the center serves thousands of students, teachers, and families each year. Lessons learned and programs developed at the NAEC are designed to support CAF Units nationwide, helping to expand educational opportunities far beyond Dallas.
As the CAF continues to preserve and share America's military aviation history, these recognitions underscore that aviation remains a powerful gateway to learning. By connecting history with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the organization is equipping the next generation with the curiosity, critical thinking, and leadership skills needed for the future.
The CAF and NAEC express their gratitude to the families who voted and to the volunteers, educators, members, and supporters whose dedication makes these programs possible. Together, they help ensure that the stories of the Greatest Generation continue to inspire generations to come.
