July 2020
We have exciting news to report about next month's virtual Civil Air Patrol National Conference. In just the first week of registration, more than 1,300 CAP members signed up for the 2020 National Conference, and the numbers have continued to grow. This is CAP’s first virtual conference event, scheduled for Aug. 14-15. Those who sign up for the conference can choose from 12 custom “learning tracks” covering over 100 topics. They also can learn more about the grand opening of Volunteer University and tune in to help ignite CAP’s Innovation initiative. As part of the Innovation initiative, Dr. Todd Dewett will speak on “Bringing Creativity and Innovation to Life.” He is one of the world’s most-watched leadership personalities: an authenticity expert, best-selling author at LinkedIn Learning, a TEDx speaker and an Inc. Magazine Top 100 leadership speaker. One of the conference tracks is Aerospace Education. AEMs, in this newsletter's "Did You Know?" section, we have conference information especially for you.
 
AEOs and AEMs, we hope you join us in the AE sessions. Until then, CAP continues to ask all of its members to stay safe and to take proactive steps in reducing the risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19.

For organization-wide communications, please continue to visit CAP's COVID-19 Information Center, a webpage for c entralized location of essential information about COVID-19-related issues specific to Civil Air Patrol.

Be well, and be safe.

THIS MONTH : Member stories - Program updates
AFA Support for CAP - Special events - Curriculum - Important things to know
PROGRAM UPDATES
CAP's K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program registration opens Aug. 1
ACE 2020-2021 registration:
  • 76,537 students…
  • 1,287 teachers…
  • 517 schools…
Were you part of the 2019-2020 ACE record-breaking year? Coming soon is your opportunity to be involved in the ACE Program for the 2020-2021 school year. Registration for the new school year will open on Aug. 1. At that time, register for ACE by clicking on the following link:
To read more about the K-6 ACE Program and the differences that are being made in schools around the country, click HERE . For additional questions, contact ace@capnhq.gov .

We hope to see your FACE as part of ACE this year!
Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) Program
AEX Award registration and completion for Squadrons and AEMs : Has your squadron or classroom applied for the AEX Award Program in eServices ? You still have time to register and complete the 2019-20 Program.  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. S uggested 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 time to achieve this award and receive the certificate that accompanies it. For additional information, visit the link below.
AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION SUPPORT FOR CIVIL AIR PATROL
AFA-funded Grant Programs for CAP Units
Summer Unit grants selected: The summer recipients of the AFA Grants for CAP Units have been selected and are listed HERE . Unfortunately, due to COVID-19-related issues, the AFA has suspended further funds disbursements until further notice, so the winter grant cycle for CAP Units has been closed for now, as noted on that page. Units will be alerted if/when the AFA grant funds for CAP can be restored .

Much appreciation is extended to all AEOs involved in creating extra aerospace/STEM projects and programs for squadron cadets and local youth with whom they collaborate. Highlighted in the above photo is the collaborative work of the PCR-CA-110 San Jose Senior Squadron 80, which worked with the local PCR-CA-334 John J Montgomery Cadet Squadron 36. The senior squadron used an AFA grant and other funds/resources to build an “aviation station” for the local cadets focused on a variety of flight-related programs. Included are a flight simulator, RC aircraft and sUAS programs and the Oculus Rift S for the cadets to experience VR using XPlane 11. The photo shows the cadets using the aviation center and one cadet using the Oculus VR program at their last monthly meeting before closing for COVID-19 issues. CAP applauds the extra effort involved when squadron members go above and beyond to ensure the cadets receive quality mentorship and programmatic experiences in the aerospace/STEM areas. CAP also continues its appreciation to the AFA for the many years of funds support for CAP! 
2020 AFA National Civil Air Patrol
AE Cadet Awardee Announced
CAP appreciates the AFA’s recognition of an outstanding CAP cadet with the annual AFA National CAP Aerospace Education Cadet of the Year award.   The 2020 recipient is C/Capt Grayson Logan , an outstanding cadet from the NER-MA-007, Goddard Cadet Squadron in Grafton, Massachusetts. Cadet Logan exhibits strong leadership in both squadron and Wing AE programs, as the Color Guard Commander, and as an AFA CyberPatriot team member for the last three years, having led the team to State Platinum level 2019 and 2020. 

Cadet Logan (pictured, right, leading at a Flight Encampment) graduated in May with a 4.0 GPA from Grafton High School, while excelling in all AP classes and holding offices in both the National Honor Society and Student Council. He represented his Wing at CAP’s February 2020 Legislative Day in D.C., has been an Hour of Code mentor for middle school students, is a strong athlete, and coaches youth in soccer. He has been his school system's representative with the Massachusetts Governor's Leadership Project to advance the ideal of “service to others” through service projects on Martin Luther King Jr. Day annually. Cadet Logan received a $10,000 AOPA: You Can Fly flight scholarship and is in the final stages of earning his Private Pilot Certificate.

Cadet Logan (pictured, top, with CAP leadership presenting his Amelia Earhart Achievement and promotion to rank of Captain) was accepted into both the U.S. Naval Academy and the USAF Academy, and he was wait-listed at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Due to his strong interest in leadership, he will be attending the USNA this fall in Annapolis, Maryland, majoring in aeronautical engineering, with a focus on astronautics. Congratulations to Cadet Grayson Logan! 
CyberPatriot and StellarXplorers registration
The Air Force Association has two signature STEM competitions, CyberPatriot and StellarXplorers, and registration for both is open NOW! These programs both involve virtual training and competition, so either (or both) would be good for schools, youth organizations, and CAP squadrons.

CyberPatriot , is the National Youth Cyber Education Program for K-12 students to learn about cybersecurity. 
1) Elementary students can be involved in the free Elementary School Cyber Education Initiative ! 
2) Middle and high school CyberPatriot competition with two age divisions :
a. Teams of middle school student or cadets can register for the Middle School Division .
  1. If a school, just enter the school name and info. There is a registration cost involved.
  2. If a CAP squadron team, there needs to be the CAP identifier in the name, such as CAP SER-AL-777, and the squadron name. There is NO registration cost involved as CAP covers all CAP squadron team registration fees.
b. Teams of high school students or cadets can register for one of two separate high school divisions:
  1. The Open Division is for any high school level school or youth group teams.There is a $200 registration cost involved, with waivers for Title I schools.
  2. The All Service Division is for any high school level JROTC group from any service, Naval Sea Cadets and CAP Cadets.There is NO registration cost involved for any CAP team as CAP covers all CAP squadron team registration fees.
3) There is even a CyberGenerations program for senior citizens to learn more about cyber security!

StellarXplorers , is the National High School Space Challenge.
  1. For high school level teams from schools, youth groups, and any service cadets, to include CAP cadets, there is a $200 registration fee, unless a waiver is given for Title I schools.
  2. There are no different divisions in the STLX program.
  3. The STLX Fact sheet may be helpful.  
AEO STORY
Indiana Wing's Lt. Col. Brian Schmuck promotes
CAP's AE programs with regular classroom visits
Meet Lt. Col. Brian Schmuck -- Indiana Wing Chief of Staff - Missions and Great Lakes Region Assistant DCS/Emergency Services -- has been a Civil Air Patrol member since he joined as a 16-year-old cadet 25 years ago. His Civil Air Patrol path included Group commander and Emergency Services leadership roles. But when his daughter joined as a cadet in 2018, and he started working with the unit, he realized "how important the AE mission is and how it directly impacts the overall health of the organization." In addition to his wing and region roles, he is an assistant Aerospace Education Officer for GLR-IN-220, River City Cadet Squadron. Schmuck visits classrooms and school programs speaking to students and presenting Civil Air Patrol AE lessons to students as young as kindergartners so that "by the time they are old enough to join, they will know what Civil Air Patrol is." This year, he worked with Thrive after school program in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, which was selected as CAP's National Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Collaborative Point of Light Program. Additionally, earlier this year, he started a video series to help engage cadets when COVID-19 guidance dictated remote gatherings. We asked him some questions about his Civil Air Patrol career and his work in the Aerospace Education mission.
" This is a way I can directly impact the lives of young people. I get the opportunity to talk to them about airplanes and watch their faces light up. "
-- Lt. Col. Brian Schmuck, Indiana Wing, on working in CAP AE
AEM STORY
Tennessee AEM uses CAP programs to introduce young learners to STEM fields and careers
Meet Suzanne Costner, library media specialist and STEM coordinator at Fairview Elementary School in Maryville, Tennessee. She joined Civil Air Patrol in 2012 as an Aerospace Education Member (AEM) after attending a teacher workshop. She teaches in the aerospace education/STEM area in order to help students who may not have had experience in aviation and aerospace, something that has always fascinated her. She says fun and engaging activities will help her introduce her young learners to STEM fields, a growing area that will "offer many jobs when they reach the age to be job-seekers." Costner, the 2017 Civil Air Patrol National Teacher of the Year, used the ACE lessons while running a summer reading camp for her school district. She combined the lessons with books about aerospace and aviation. "When they found out that we were reading books about rockets and hot air balloons and then launching our own foam rockets or making balsa gliders, they were eager to come in each day." This year, when stay-at-home guidance because of COVID-19 closed schools, she managed a curbside library book checkout program for her school. Read her story at the link below.
"We would never have had the opportunity to offer the robotics club without the STEM Kit."
-- Suzanne Costner, Tennessee AEM
CURRICULUM
AMA FPG-9 Glider
In this lesson, cadets and students will learn about the basics of how flight works by creating a simple foam glider. After making their glider from a 9-inch foam plate, students and cadets will test it and record data. "AMA FPG-9 Glider" is Activity Two in CAP's AEX MARC booklet . Watch the video by clicking on the picture below.
SPECIAL EVENTS
CAP Provides first AE diversity series for cadets
CAP-USAF Reservists have teamed with CAP’s National offices of Diversity & Inclusion and Aerospace Education to provide live, Region-by-Region, career exploration events for cadets. The first series is bi-weekly Female USAF Pilot Panels. CAP-USAF and CAP female pilots are inspiring cadets in each Region every two weeks for one-hour live discussions about their aviation careers and pathways that led to their careers. The event includes a moderator asking questions posed by cadets in the chat section.

Post-event actions are to have the pilots answer all chat questions not answered during the live event and a follow-up cadet survey, which is intended to: 
  1. Gauge cadet interest in flying and understand their drivers to pursue or not pursue aviation.  
  2. In relation to gender diversity, gather information from cadets about their previous opportunities to interact with female pilots.  
  3. Gather feedback to improve future panels.  
  4. Get input about future panels that cadets would be interested in attending, such as:
  • African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, etc. Pilot Panels 
  • Rated officer Pilot Panel (Pilot/CSO/WSO/RPA)  
  • Medical Officer Pilot Panel 
  • Total Force Pilot Panel (AD, Guard, Reserve, CAP) 
  • Space Force Panel 
  • Career Enlisted Aviator Panel 
  • Maintainer Panel 
  • CAP Cadet Wings Graduate Pilot Panel

Two sample questions on the cadet survey have provided interesting conclusions/recommendations:

What is your desire to pursue aviation after this panel discussion?
  • Conclusion: Most respondents already had an interest in flying. 
  • Recommendation: Consider other ways to attract cadets who were not originally interested in flying to attend future panel. Perhaps include other career fields on the panel to attract a larger audience.  

Have you had the opportunity to interact with and ask questions of female pilots in the past?
  • Conclusion: No cadets had had previous interactions with female pilots.  
  • Recommendation: Panels like these give cadets an opportunity to “see it to believe it” in particular with mentors and role models that may be from underrepresented demographics among CAP senior members and CAP-USAF reservists.   

Pictured, is C/SMSgt. Maria Hall, currently a member of SWR-TX-442, who is Included in these panel discussions. Cadet Hall is a CAP cadet, as well as former AFJROTC Flight Scholarship recipient and current AFROTC cadet, who is providing encouraging mentorship to young cadets.  

See all related information on the CAP AE Diversity & Inclusion webpage , including each Region informational flier and invitational video. Visit 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.

CONNECT - LEARN - CELEBRATE
AEMs and the 2020 CAP National Conference
CAP educator members, YOU are invited to attend CAP’s free virtual national conference August 14-15 .  Many of the sessions will be geared to CAP’s uniformed members, but there are some that are geared to YOU, as an educator! All sessions and description links are not listed on the draft conference schedule at this time, but please consider registering so you can select some sessions of interest to you when they are posted (the first week of August or so). AE sessions that may be of interest to you will range from an overview for AEMs in the “Out of the Classroom; Into the Sky with CAP’s Aerospace/STEM Education Programs” session to sessions on Astronomy, Rocketry, the Space Program, Satellite Imagery, how to conduct virtual lessons, sample AE lesson videos, the K-6 ACE program and meeting the 2020 National AE awardees. Let the AE team know if you have any questions by contacting ae@capnhq.gov . Registration for the conference is free.
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.