Mark Hyatt is a passionate educational entrepreneur. His favorite quote is: “If you save one child, you save the whole world.” Calling Colorado home since 1970, he’s served as a fighter pilot squadron commander in the Air Force; and advisor to the Secretary of Defense, and the current and previous White House Administration on school choice, safety, social climate, and culture issues. He’s also served as Vice Commandant at the U.S. Air Force Academy and its Director of Center for Character and Leadership Development; President of the largest charter school in Colorado, The Classical Academy; and Executive Director of the Charter School Institute in Denver. He’s testified at the Colorado Legislature to keep partial funding to public schools for homeschool students. His most important job is being married for 40 years, and having three children and five grandchildren.

Falcon AeroLab, founded by Col. (Ret.) Mark Hyatt, is a fast-growing aerospace and STEM education program serving over 1,200 students across Colorado and beyond. Focused on hands-on learning, the program empowers students, especially homeschoolers and young teens, to explore aviation, earn credentials, and prepare for high-paying careers. With backing from public funding, partnerships with school districts, and expansion into states like Arizona, Falcon AeroLab is shaping the next generation of innovators through real-world flight experiences, engineering challenges, and mentorship from military and industry professionals.

In this episode of Our Town, Krista Gustafson, Director of Marketing at Falcon AeroLab, shares how the program is inspiring the next generation of aviators, engineers, and innovators through hands-on aerospace education. She highlights Falcon's unique approach to STEM learning, the impact on students across Colorado and beyond, and how the program opens doors to real-world career paths in aviation and space.