Happy New Year!
We ring in 2022 with some news items to help make this year a great year in aerospace/STEM education. The newest addition to the CAP STEM Kit Program is the Mechanics STEM Kit (pictured).
The first step of National Award deadlines is approaching this week, January 15. You will find in this newsletter important information on awards for AEOs, cadets and teachers. Please nominate individuals or organizations so that they can be recognized for their excellence.
In other news, the AEM Application has been updated and is linked in the newsletter.
Our member stories this month highlight members from Arizona and Alabama. If you know of other outstanding member stories, we hope you will reach out to us at ae@capnhq.gov. Your story could be the next one told!
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THIS MONTH: Member stories - Program updates - Award updates - AE Safety Check - Curriculum - Important things to know
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PROGRAM UPDATES
Aerospace Connections in Education Program
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Registration is still open for CAP's K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program for the 2021-2022 school year. Are YOU a Face of ACE this year? If not, contact ace@capnhq.gov. Learn more about the program at the link below.
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CAP’s new ACE Plus Adopt program is designed for CAP squadrons to collaborate with local 5th- through 8th-grade ACE teachers to build relationships in the local educational community that stimulate interest in aerospace-related STEM subjects/careers and awareness of CAP and its youth programs.
To learn more about the program, check out the link below.
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NEW! Updated AEM application is now available |
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The CAP Form 13 AEM Application has been redesigned, and the new version is now available on the AE website and the Publications Library at GoCivilAirPatrol.com.
Changes include the recently approved Photo Release information.
The former version of the AEM application will continue to be accepted through March 1.
Click the link below to save the application to your files.
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A new CAP AE STEM Kit is available: Mechanics |
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Engino' s Mechanics Cams & Cranks set teaches cadets and students how to transmit power using cams and cranks and how they can be used to convert reciprocal to linear motion. Discover how these mechanisms are crucial elements of many machines even though they are not considered as "simple machines." Cadets and students can build 8 working models such as a fishing crane, an oil pump, a moving figure, a moving bridge, a sewing machine and a flying eagle. Easy-to-follow building instructions for all models can be found either online or in the included booklet. The booklet provides detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied and incorporates innovative experimental activities for hands-on learning. A quiz section is also available to challenge your newly acquired knowledge! Conduct thorough experiments and discover how the handle's position affects force and speed; how the crank's position affects force and speed; and how to switch between different types of motion by using cams. Click the link below to read more about the Mechanics Kit. |
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FEATURED STEM KIT: The new Mechanics kit is one of several STEM Kits CAP AE offers. The featured existing kit this month is Bee-Bot/Code & Go Mouse. The Bee-Bot/Code & Go Mouse STEM Kit is an exciting kit designed to teach young children entry-level, hands-on coding principles. Recipients will receive one Bee-Bot robot (with associated Skills Mat) and one Code & Go Mouse set. An early learning coding tip sheet is available in the Learning Management Systems section of CAP's member portal, eServices, in addition to lessons and additional suggestions to guide the recipients in implementing the wide range of Bee-Bot/Code & Go Mouse learning options. Instructors can also use this kit to introduce, teach, and reinforce a variety of subjects. This kit offers a great opportunity for older youth to teach younger students beginning coding skills. Visit our STEM Kit web pages at the link below.
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Request for Squadron Ideas for Remote Meetings |
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CAP is requesting suggestions from AEOs that can be added to a Remote Teaching Resources site to assist new or struggling AEOs as they try to continue conducting the AE mission during hybrid or virtual meetings. Even after COVID restrictions are lifted, virtual options will be invaluable in keeping cadets engaged when not in person.
Suggestions can be as extensive as South Carolina Wing DAE, Capt. Bob Roberts, who developed a complete YouTube channel HERE with Aerospace Live interviews and AE lessons, to include all of the Aerospace Dimensions module lessons. Or, there could be innovative and interesting one-time events, such as the Nevada Wing conducted with an ISS downlink “in-flight education event” for the cadets found HERE. (Pictured: NASA Expedition 66 Flight Engineers Kayla Barron and Raja Chari.)
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Important: AE Awards are due January 15 |
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CAP seeks to reward its members with national-level awards each year. But, those awards have to originate from a Squadron or Group level (if for AEOs or cadets) and at the Wing level (if for educators). All awards are due to the Wing by January 15 each year for consideration at the Wing level. Wing winners will be sent to the Region by February 15 to be considered at that level. By March 15, all Region award winners should be sent to CAP NHQ/AE at ae@capnhq.gov. To find out about each award, click below.
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CAP National AE Teacher of the Year |
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ATTENTION, AEMs: CAP is proud to honor an outstanding CAP educator member with the National AE Teacher of the Year award. To nominate yourself or someone else, please complete the nomination form here. Submit the completed nomination package to ae@capnhq.gov not later than January 15! All nomination information is found on the CAP Teacher Awards page at the link below. Scroll down that page to see the 2020 winning teacher, Lt. Col. James Peace from Michael R. Null Middle School in Houston, Texas, who is also a CAP uniformed member who teaches CAP to his students!
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Air Force Association Award for Squadron Cadets |
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ATTENTION, AEOs: This is a reminder for squadron commanders to submit an award request for the annual AFA’s CAP Outstanding Squadron Cadet award until January 15. Simply complete the request form on the webpage and submit to afa@capnhq.gov, and an award package will be mailed to you. For more information, click the link below.
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(Welcome to AE Safety Check! These safety nuggets are things to think about as you lead or participate in an Aerospace Education activity. The writer of this monthly feature is Lt. Col. Karen Cooper, who works in safety and risk management on the AE National Headquarters Staff and is also the Northeast Region DCS/Aerospace Education.)
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APPLY AE SAFETY LESSONS TO OTHER APPLICABLE AREAS
We just finished a major gift giving season. Think back – when you were opening the gifts using a knife, X-acto knife, box cutter, or any other sharp blade – did you cut away from yourself? You have heard this in multiple AE safety briefings, but it will not become automatic until you practice it in your everyday life. Many times, this is referred to as “muscle memory” – the ability to reproduce a particular movement without conscious thought, acquired as a result of frequent repetition of that movement. The safety information we provide as part of our AE Activities should be applied to all applicable aspects of your life so that when it is time to use that sharp blade, you will automatically cut away from yourself and you will be using it safely.
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If you have a safety topic you would like to be included in this space, please email kcooper@ner.cap.gov.
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AEO STORY
Arizona AEO and teacher promotes lifelong learning,
STEM careers in her squadron and at her school
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Meet Capt. Nancy Parra-Quinlan. A 28-year educator, her Civil Air Patrol story began six years ago as an Aerospace Education Member (AEM), and she later transitioned into a senior member position. She is the AEO for Falcon Composite Squadron 305 in Mesa, Arizona, and is the Assistant Director of Aerospace Education -- External for the Arizona Wing. She teaches STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) to 7th and 8th grade students at Kino Junior High School and was recently named Arizona Teacher of the Year by the Arizona Educational Foundation. A self-described "Space Nerd" with a passion for aerospace education, she says many of her cadets are interested in becoming aerospace professionals. She chose teaching as a career because she enjoys helping people. "I find it very rewarding to help students be successful in school and in life," she says. Her teaching philosophy is promoting the creation of lifelong learners. She also wants to make sure women and people of color are well-represented in STEM careers. "We need to make sure girls know that there are not 'male jobs' and 'female jobs' in STEM," she says. "They can dream of being whatever they want without being concerned about gender." Click the link below to read her full story. |
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"The most rewarding part of my CAP experience has been working with the cadets on AE Night each month. We have had some fun lessons on rocketry, aeronautics and the High Altitude Balloon Challenge among other topics."
-- Capt. Nancy Parra-Quinlan, Arizona Wing
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AEM STORY
Alabama AEM fulfills dream to help students
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Meet Kelli Jo Wilson, who teaches at Holtville Middle School in Deatsville, Alabama. After beginning her career as a 5th-grade science/social studies teacher, she now teaches 7th grade life science. Since becoming an Aerospace Education Member (AEM) in 2015, she has participated in Civil Air Patrol's Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program each year and this past year was named National ACE Teacher of the Year. In addition, she participates in CAP's ACE Plus adopt program, which connects local squadrons to classrooms. Her class has been adopted by the Maxwell Composite Squadron. In order to fulfill a dream of working with children, she became a teacher 17 years ago, and she has a passion for teaching science. "I love for students to realize that science is all around them," she says. She became a CAP AEM after a fellow teacher introduced her to CAP's programs. She says she and her students are fans of the hands-on ACE program, which she features in class at least once a week. "This has helped my attendance because the students get really upset if they miss an ACE Day," she says. We asked her some questions about teaching and her involvement with Civil Air Patrol. Click the link below to read her full story. |
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"I am so glad that I took a chance and joined Civil Air Patrol in 2015. ACE has provided me with lessons that are adaptable and such an innovative approach to teaching."
-- Kelli Jo Wilson, Alabama AEM
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CURRICULUM
Astrospud Spacesuit Design Challenge
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This lesson, Astrospud Spacesuit Design Challenge, teaches cadets and students about spacesuit safety and design. Participants will design protective "spacesuits" for a potato. A spacesuit has layers to help protect astronauts from micrometeoroids and small space debris; cadets and students will create a protective "suit" for their "astrospud." Then each astrospud will be tested to see if it can survive a simulated space debris collision. The lesson, one of current National ACE Teacher of the Year Kelli Jo Wilson's favorite ACE lessons, is Academic Lesson #6 in the Grade 5 Aerospace Connections in Education Program Guide. Click the link below to view the lesson.
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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.
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You can update your eServices profile information. Here's how: |
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Sign into eServices and click on your name in the top right hand corner. Update your email address, mailing address, contact numbers, etc. This ensures you receive timely and pertinent information from CAP. If you are a teacher, ensure your primary email address is your home and your secondary email address is your school so that your annual renewal email and any other important information will not end up as spam in your school email account.
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AEMs: Is it time to renew your membership? |
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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. Thinking that due to the pandemic you cannot participate in CAP’s AE programs? That may be partly true, but when we get back to “normal,” you will wish you kept your membership current, so do not let it expire!
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AEOs: Reach out to AEMs whose memberships expire soon |
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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. And, we wish to encourage our AEMs to “hang on” until the end of the pandemic and continue renewing their membership. Once things are back to “normal,” they will be glad they did!
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Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Education
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