CAP National Board Annual Conference 2009

1. CAP National Board Annual Conference 2009 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program for Grades K-6 Susan Mallett Debbie Dahl Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters Staff

2. What is the ACE Program? • 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.

3. Background • The Middle School Initiative to charter “800” cadet squadrons in middle schools was initiated in 2001, and supported by the Drug Demand Reduction Program. • The Middle School Initiative expanded into high schools and the program became the School Enrichment 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 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. • 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 expanded to include grades K-6. • 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 - Public, private, parochial, DoD, and home schools participated - 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. • CAP has two “school enrichment programs” that accommodate grades K-12: - After-School Cadet Program for grades 6-12 (CP Division) - Aerospace Connections Program for grades K-6 ( AE Division)

4. Program Purpose • The K-6 ACE Program is intended to be a feeder program to the Cadet Program for grades 6-12. • The program’s purpose is to address America's need to promote aerospace interest and character development of youth at an earlier age. Bottom line---start early to develop ethical and physically fit scientists and engineers to fulfill the future aerospace workforce need while, ultimately, aiding in maintaining national security and defense.

5. Program Content • The program was modeled after the basic elements of CAP’s cadet program: (1) a knowledge of aerospace and related career opportunities; (2) the principles of effective leadership and the strength of integrity through character; and (3) the life-long benefits of physical fitness. • The program contents include grade-level specific curricula which was designed by educators and incorporate fun, inquiry-based activities in 126 lesson plans that meet national academic standards and address national STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiatives. • The educational materials enrich most school systems' standard core curricula. • The program was designed for either in-school or after-school application. • Students and teachers received program t-shirts, lesson manipulative materials, student certificates, teacher plaque, and several awards accompanied by grants to continue support of the program.

6. Benefits to Schools The ACE Program is a supplemental program that fulfills the needs of American schools in the following critical areas of youth development: • Character education to combat negative societal forces and to prepare productive and responsible future citizens and leaders. • Academics to meet future aerospaceworkforce 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.

7. 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

8. Program Overview Overview of overall program components to include requirements and curriculum…

9. 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

10. 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

11. CAP Members Support of Program • Find a K-6 classroom in area and introduce the ACE program to the teacher. Share info found at the ACE link at www.capmembers.com/ae. • Offer to have the unit support the class’s participation in the program by giving a grant to cover program shirts and lesson manipulative items. Cost per classroom of 30 students: $150. • If the teacher is not already a member of CAP, share the wonderful benefits of the Aerospace Education Membership (AEM) program and encourage the teacher to take advantage of the complimentary membership for ACE teachers. Information found at www.capmembers.com/ae. • Coordinate with members of your unit to volunteer to teach ACE lessons to the classroom.

12. Taking elementary classrooms to new heights… Find a class near YOU and become an ACE Program Sponsor!

13. Imagine Partnering CIVIL AIR PATROL and A LOCAL SCHOOL… Working Today to Build Better Tomorrow, One Student at a Time… A C E

14. For More Information… • Go to the ACE link at www.capmembers.com/ae • Contact ace@capnhq.gov or Angie St John, NHQ ACE Program Manager @ astjohn@capnhq.gov