CAP National Board Annual CAP National Board Annual Conference 2009Conference 2009

Aerospace Connections in Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program for Education (ACE) Program for

Grades K-6Grades K-6

Susan Mallett Susan Mallett Debbie Dahl Debbie Dahl

Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters StaffCivil Air Patrol National Headquarters Staff

The Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program is CAP’s elementary “school enrichment program” that provides teachers with grade-specific, cross-curricular, aerospace-themed lessons that are correlated to national academic standards.

The goal of the ACE Program is to foster an appreciation of and interest in the field of aerospace among young students. Ultimately, this program serves to lay a foundation to produce good citizens and the future aerospace workforce.

ACE’s aerospace-themed lessons provide teachers with a motivational tool to fulfill science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives, as well as to motivate student interest and excellence in other subjects.

What is the ACE Program?

BackgroundBackground The Middle School Initiative to charter “800” cadet squadrons in middle schools was initiated in 2001, The Middle School Initiative to charter “800” cadet squadrons in middle schools was initiated in 2001,

and supported by the Drug Demand Reduction Program.and supported by the Drug Demand Reduction Program. The Middle School Initiative expanded into high schools and the program became the School Enrichment The Middle School Initiative expanded into high schools and the program became the School Enrichment

Program (SEP) for grades 6-12 in 2007.Program (SEP) for grades 6-12 in 2007. In March 2007, the CAP National Board voted to implement a School Enrichment Program for grades K-5 In March 2007, the CAP National Board voted to implement a School Enrichment Program for grades K-5

that would compliment and “seed” the 6-12 School Enrichment Program. Accordingly, in the fall of 2007, that would compliment and “seed” the 6-12 School Enrichment Program. Accordingly, in the fall of 2007, CAP developed and implemented a K-5 prototype program, the Jr Cadet Program. CAP developed and implemented a K-5 prototype program, the Jr Cadet Program.

The Jr Cadet Program name was a misnomer and, thus, in the second year of field testing, the name The Jr Cadet Program name was a misnomer and, thus, in the second year of field testing, the name more appropriately became the Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program and the program more appropriately became the Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program and the program expanded to include grades K-6.expanded to include grades K-6.

The ACE Prototype Program was field tested for the 2008-2009 school year with the following outcomes:The ACE Prototype Program was field tested for the 2008-2009 school year with the following outcomes: - 30 schools, 300 teachers and 7000 students completed the program- 30 schools, 300 teachers and 7000 students completed the program - Public, private, parochial, DoD, and home schools participated- Public, private, parochial, DoD, and home schools participated - Program evaluations rated the program 4.4 out of a possible score of 5- Program evaluations rated the program 4.4 out of a possible score of 5 The ACE Program is now open to any school in the nation.The ACE Program is now open to any school in the nation. CAP has two “school enrichment programs” that accommodate grades K-12:CAP has two “school enrichment programs” that accommodate grades K-12: - After-School Cadet Program for grades 6-12 (CP Division)- After-School Cadet Program for grades 6-12 (CP Division) - Aerospace Connections Program for grades K-6 ( AE Division)- Aerospace Connections Program for grades K-6 ( AE Division)

Program PurposeProgram Purpose The K-6 ACE Program is intended to be a feeder program to The K-6 ACE Program is intended to be a feeder program to

the Cadet Program for grades 6-12.the Cadet Program for grades 6-12.

The program’s purpose is to address America's need to The program’s purpose is to address America's need to promote aerospace interest and character development of promote aerospace interest and character development of youth at an earlier age. Bottom line---start early to develop youth at an earlier age. Bottom line---start early to develop ethical and physically fit scientists and engineers to fulfill ethical and physically fit scientists and engineers to fulfill the future aerospace workforce need while, ultimately, the future aerospace workforce need while, ultimately, aiding in maintaining national security and defense. aiding in maintaining national security and defense.

Program Content Program Content The program was modeled after the basic elements of CAP’s cadet The program was modeled after the basic elements of CAP’s cadet

program:program: (1) a knowledge of aerospace and related career opportunities; (1) a knowledge of aerospace and related career opportunities; (2) the principles of effective leadership and the strength of integrity (2) the principles of effective leadership and the strength of integrity

through character; and through character; and (3) the life-long benefits of physical fitness.(3) the life-long benefits of physical fitness.

The program contents include grade-level specific curricula which was The program contents include grade-level specific curricula which was designed by educators and incorporate fun, inquiry-based activities in designed by educators and incorporate fun, inquiry-based activities in 126 lesson plans that meet national academic standards and address 126 lesson plans that meet national academic standards and address national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiatives. national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiatives.

The educational materials enrich most school systems' standard core The educational materials enrich most school systems' standard core curricula.curricula.

The program was designed for either in-school or after-school The program was designed for either in-school or after-school application.application.

Students and teachers received program t-shirts, lesson manipulative Students and teachers received program t-shirts, lesson manipulative materials, student certificates, teacher plaque, and several awards materials, student certificates, teacher plaque, and several awards accompanied by grants to continue support of the program.accompanied by grants to continue support of the program.

Benefits to SchoolsThe ACE Program is a supplemental program that fulfills

theneeds of American schools in the following critical areas ofyouth development: Character education to combat negative societal

forces and to prepare productive and responsible future citizens and leaders.

Academics to meet future aerospace workforce demands.

Physical fitness training to create a healthy and drug-free lifestyle. An avenue to include parents and

volunteers in the educational programs of the schools.

Curriculum and Implementation

18 national academic standards-based lesson plans per grade level

6 lessons for each of the following categories: > academics > character education > physical fitness Designed for 30-60 minute blocks

in any area of the curriculum Low or no-cost materials needed for

hands-on activities Easy instruction; minimal prep time Assessment through lesson worksheets

and/or tasks, and pre/post comprehensive test

Program OverviewProgram OverviewOverview of overall program components to Overview of overall program components to include requirements and curriculum…include requirements and curriculum…

Points of Pride Easily implemented and well-organized program Free national-standards based educational materials Student improvement in citizenship

and physical fitness Positive role model opportunities Parent/community involvement Positive school publicity Student excitement and motivation with aerospace Helps fill the need for more U.S. aerospace workforce Exposes students to a myriad of career opportunities Creates positive, contributing members of society

Comments of Success“The students look forward to their CAP days at

school. We let the older students mentor the

younger students and they all enjoy that! Learning about flight, good character, and living a healthy lifestyle is great preparation for their futures!’”- Lynn Toney, ACE Coordinator, Boaz, AL

“The K-6 ACE program will allow CAP to reach students at a younger age before they make wrong choices in life. It is important that we give our students pathways to a positive and productive Lifestyle.” - Carla Chin, ACE Coordinator, Jacksonville, FL

CAP Members Support of CAP Members Support of ProgramProgram Find a K-6 classroom in area and introduce the ACE Find a K-6 classroom in area and introduce the ACE

program to the teacher. Share info found at the ACE program to the teacher. Share info found at the ACE link at www.capmembers.com/ae. link at www.capmembers.com/ae.

Offer to have the unit support the class’s participation Offer to have the unit support the class’s participation in the program by giving a grant to cover program in the program by giving a grant to cover program shirts and lesson manipulative items. Cost per shirts and lesson manipulative items. Cost per classroom of 30 students: $150. classroom of 30 students: $150.

If the teacher is not already a member of CAP, share If the teacher is not already a member of CAP, share the wonderful benefits of the Aerospace Education the wonderful benefits of the Aerospace Education Membership (AEM) program and encourage the Membership (AEM) program and encourage the teacher to take advantage of the teacher to take advantage of the complimentarycomplimentary membership for membership for ACE teachers. Information ACE teachers. Information found at found at www.capmembers.com/ae. www.capmembers.com/ae.

Coordinate with members of your Coordinate with members of your unit to volunteer to teach ACE unit to volunteer to teach ACE lessons to the classroom. lessons to the classroom.

Taking elementary Taking elementary classrooms to classrooms to new heights…new heights…

Find a class near YOU and become an ACE Program

Sponsor!

Imagine PartneringImagine Partnering CIVIL AIR PATROL and A LOCAL CIVIL AIR PATROL and A LOCAL SCHOOL…SCHOOL…

Working Today to Working Today to Build Better Build Better Tomorrow,Tomorrow,One Student at a One Student at a Time…Time…

ACE

For More Information…For More Information… Go to the ACE link at Go to the ACE link at

www.capmembers.com/ae www.capmembers.com/ae

Contact ace@capnhq.gov Contact ace@capnhq.gov

or or Angie St John, NHQ ACE Program Angie St John, NHQ ACE Program

Manager Manager @ astjohn@capnhq.gov@ astjohn@capnhq.gov