September 2020
BACK TO SCHOOL 2020!
As the calendar rolls to September, it signals the arrival of a new school year.

Educators and parents, we know this school year brings different challenges than the usual adjustments to a new class and a new teacher. We know you are still navigating teaching and parenting during a pandemic. Some schools are virtual, some are onsite and some are a combination of both.

Squadrons, too, are still looking for remote AE opportunities as they soon will begin the next fiscal year. For CAP's meeting guidance, continue to consult CAP's COVID-19 Information Center, a webpage for centralized location of essential information about COVID-19-related issues specific to Civil Air Patrol. In this month's newsletter, there is an update on Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) Flights.

Also this month, our featured members share helpful information about their approach to education during shutdown. Both tell inspiring stories about how to make the best of challenging situations.

One of this month's highlighted members, Capt. Jose Vergara of New Jersey Wing, was also featured in the AE virtual learning session during the 2020 CAP National Conference. More than 10,000 members registered for the organization's first virtual conference held August 14-15. The AE virtual learning session, and all 150+ conference sessions, will be available to those who registered for a full year on the conference portal. You'll find lots of great information on the people and programs of Civil Air Patrol.

AEMs, to continue to take advantage of the free CAP AE programs this school year, be sure you know your membership renewal date. The beginning of the school year is a great time to write your AEM renewal date on your personal school calendar as a reminder to take care of your free renewal.

Have a great school year! Be well, and be safe.

THIS MONTH: Member stories - Program updates -
Curriculum - Important things to know
PROGRAM UPDATES
Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) Flight update
UPDATE: CAP's educator members can begin reaching out to their Wing Directors of AE (contact list here) to inquire if the Wing is approved to begin flying TOP flights under COVID-19 restrictions. CAP has the funding to fly our educator members, but each Wing (state) has to receive approval from the Operations team to start these amazing flights again. Educators and AEOs can check out the TOP Flight page for FAQs and guidance to get ready to fly “out of the classroom; into the sky.” 
CAP's K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program registration is now open
ACE 2020-2021 registration: Educators who lead K-6 students, if you haven't registered for CAP's Aerospace Connections in Education program, we're missing your face in ACE this year! If you need help with registration, email Sue Mercer, ACE Program Manager at smercer@capnhq.gov. To register for ACE 2020-2021, click the link below..
To read more about the K-6 ACE Program and the differences that are being made in schools around the country, click HERE.
Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) Program
AEX Award registration and completion for Squadrons and AEMs: Has your squadron or classroom completed the 2019-20 AEX Award Program in eServices? No is the perfect time to register for the 2020-2021 AEX program activities should take place from Oct. 1-Sept. 30 each year. Completing the required activities may look a little different, and creativity will be needed in order to fulfill the required six AEX lessons and two-hour extension activity. Suggested activities and resources are available in eServices, AE Downloads and Resources, and on the AE website, Lessons and Activity Videos and Aerospace/STEM Resources. Virtual tours have been recommended for the two-hour extension activity. If you have ideas you wish to share, please send to aex@capnhq.gov.

To learn more about the AEX Program, click the link below.
Squadron AE Achievement Award
AE Achievement Award recognizes squadrons for AE mission accomplishments: Last year NHQ AE initiated the Squadron AE Achievement Award. This award identifies squadrons that successfully perform certain criteria listed in CAPR 50-1. Recipients of this award demonstrate the importance they place on accomplishing the AE mission. Squadrons still have a few weeks to achieve this award and receive the certificate that accompanies it. For additional information, visit the link below.
AEO/COMMANDER STORY
New Jersey Commander empowers cadets
to create virtual AE lessons during COVID shutdown
Meet Capt. Jose Vergara, commander of NER-NJ-102, Captain "Bud" Jackson Composite Squadron. He has been interested in Aerospace Education, STEM and the military since childhood. Today, he has been working in civilian service with the Army for 20 years, working on research and development in new technologies. He enjoys serving in the Aerospace Education mission area of CAP in order to ignite a "flame in the cadets for curiosity in the AE-STEM field." Earlier this year, after COVID-19 closed in-person meetings, Vergara led his squadron to produce virtual AE lessons. "I saw the opportunity for members to start making videos about AE-STEM and other CAP topics and activities," he recalls. "The NJ-102 Video Task Force was born." The squadron and its task force were featured in a session on the topic of remote learning during the recent virtual Civil Air Patrol National Conference. See the squadron's videos on the New Jersey Wing's Aerospace Education YouTube channel. Click the link below to read the full story.
"We need to help our cadets be innovators and risk-takers in their motivation and ambition to bring new experiences to their squadron. We should be the bridges to their visions, and not the boulders in the middle of the road to their dreams."
-- Capt. Jose Vergara, New Jersey Wing
AEM STORY
New Jersey AEM James Falletti uses CAP programs to give students real-world connections
Meet James Falletti, who teaches 5th- and 6th-grade science at a parochial school in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. When he uses Civil Air Patrol AE materials, such as the Astronomy STEM Kit, in his classroom, he sees "magic happen" as the students gain confidence and excitement when they understand a new concept. He has been an Aerospace Education Member for three years and says CAP's AE programs and materials help his students "make real-world connections" beyond textbook and workbook activities and "drive them toward hands-on 21st Century Learning Skills and experience." Falletti has been an educator for more than 11 years and especially enjoys teaching aerospace- and environment-related STEAM subjects. Click the link below to read his story.
"As a global learner and educator, I teach my students and colleagues to look beyond the textbook and the confines of the four walls to understand and make relationships to global connections."
-- James Falletti, New Jersey AEM
CURRICULUM
Tropism Testing
This lesson lets students explore the effects of gravity on plant growth, a process called geotropism or gravitropism. Since this activity involves the growing of plants, the time required spans over several days. "Tropism Testing" is found in CAP's AEX for Middle School Life Science booklet, Lesson 4. Find this lesson HERE. To view a video of this lesson produced by the AE national headquarters team, click the link below.
Each month, this space features important highlights or answers to frequently asked questions. Here are three things you need to know now as an AEM or AEO.
2020 Girls in Aviation Day information
The 2020 Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) conducted worldwide by Women in Aviation International (WAI) is scheduled for September 26. But, due to virtual necessities, a year-long app has been developed to help promote an interest in aviation with young girls (and guys)! Free family enrollment is open now! Hopefully, CAP squadrons and educators can connect with and support local GIAD activities. Contact ae@capnhq.gov for assistance!
AEMs: Is it time to renew your membership?
All Aerospace Education Members (AEMs) are offered an annual FREE “in-kind renewal." The online renewal email is sent 60 days prior to the membership expiration date. A renewal banner appears at the top of the eServices sign-in page 90 days prior to expiring. (You can’t renew earlier than 90 days.) Find additional information at the link below.
AEOs: Reach out to AEMs whose memberships expire soon
AEOs, this is the perfect time to reach out to your AEMs whose memberships expire within 60 days or whose memberships have expired. For more guidance, see Recruiting and Retention of AEMs on the AEO Resources page link below.

Please note: CAP has several categories of membership, but each member can only be assigned one category of membership. Any adult uniformed member, who is an educator, may access all the resources available to an AEM.