cc: F. Gavin MacAloon, AFA Vice Chairman of the Board, Field Operations Dick Bundy, AFA Vice Chairman of the Board, Aerospace Education John T. Tim Brock, AFA National Secretary Steven R. Lundgren, AFA National Treasurer James Hannam,, AFA National Vice Chairman of the Aerospace Education Council Bill Croom, AFA National Aerospace Education Council Maryanne Thompson, AFA National Aerospace Education Council Denise Hollywood, Executive Vice President Bernie Skoch, AFA CyberPatriot Commissioner Kari Hahn, AFA Vice President, Member and Field Relations Alexander Edgar, AFA Manager, Aerospace Awards and Scholarships Maj Gen Joseph R. Vazquez, CAP National Commander Brig Gen Larry F. Myrick, CAP National Vice Commander Col Larry J. Ragland, CAP National Executive Officer Lt Col Mike McArdle, CAP National Aerospace Education Officer Col Michael D. Tyynismaa, USAF, CAP-USAF Commander Col Sammy T. Pierce, USAF, CAP-USAF Vice Commander Paul Gloyd, CAP Assistant COO Susan Easter, CAP Chief Financial Officer John Swain, CAP Government Relations Consultant Dr. Jeff Montgomery, CAP Deputy Director, Aerospace Education Transmitted electronically and found online with hotlinks at www.capmembers.com/afa..
Civil Air Patrol s 2016 Air Force Association Comprehensive Annual Program Report AFA Grants for CAP Units and Educator Members Civil Air Patrol continues to recognize the Air Force Association as a treasured organizational aerospace/stem education partner. Since the 1996 inception of the AFA/CAP partnership, the AFA has contributed over $430,000 in grant funding to enable CAP units and educator members the opportunity to complete special aerospace/stem education projects and programs with young people across the country. In 20 years, about 334,500 students have been impacted by the AFA Grants for CAP Units and Educator Members, averaging about $1.29 per student. Via the use of the aerospace theme, CAP adult and cadet members are promoting STEM-related subjects and career options to young people, serving to aid in the development of the future aerospace/stem workforce to maintain U.S. economic competitiveness and national security. The application process for the AFA Grant for CAP Members ensures that quality STEM-related programs and projects are the foundation of each grant. After-action reports from grant recipients reveal the deep appreciation and benefits resulting from the acquisition of AFA funding. Many of the programs and projects can be replicated numerous times after being funded, thus, there are perpetual benefits of the funding. The AFA provided $22,500 annually until 2015, when the AFA increased the annual contribution to $27,500 to further grant outreach potential. The funds are used for $250 CAP unit and K-12 educator grants that reach all geographical areas of the country, as well as Puerto Rico. Grant recipients are encouraged to collaborate with other groups to increase program impact. As approved by the AFA, a portion of the annual grant funding is allotted to perpetuate STEM outreach programs focusing on school-wide initiatives associated with CAP s K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program and educator professional development opportunities. 2016 return on investment information for the AFA Grant Program for CAP members is delineated below, but, to repeat, many programs are replicated for several out years and with numerous other youth groups, thus immeasurably increasing program impact. (Grant Photos at the end of the report.) 2016 $27,500 grant funds expenditures and program impact: CAP Unit Grants Summer Cycle- 20 grants @ $250 each = $5,000-----Total youth directly impacted- 2,554 Winter Cycle- 20 grants @ $250 each = $5,000-------Total youth directly impacted- 3,940 CAP Educator Classroom Grants Spring Cycle- 25 grants @ $250 each = $6,250-------Total students directly impacted- 4,713 Fall Cycle- 25 grants @ $250 each $6,250-----------Total students directly impacted- 3,937 STEM Outreach Grants for Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) related Programs & Educator STEM Professional Development Programs STEM Outreach Grants ------------------------Total students directly impacted- 8,950 ~ Awards for National ACE School, Educator, Coordinator, and Students of the Year- $2,250 ~ School-wide ACE program lift-off events & professional development programs- $2,750 2016 total youth directly impacted by the AFA Grants for CAP Members Program 24,094 ~Per capita AFA contribution - $1.14 (12% increase from 2015)
AFA as 2016 CAP K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program Presenting Sponsor The Air Force Association s Aerospace Education Council (AEC) obtained AFA National approval to include an additional budget line to be added for CAP AE programs for calendar year 2014. This additional $20,000 funding allowed the AFA to become the Presenting Sponsor of CAP s unique K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) program and support over 8,500 ACE students.. In 2015, the amount funded to the ACE program was $23,460, which supported almost 10,000 ACE students. ACE chapters supported another 4,800 ACE students for a total in 2015 of almost 15,000 ACE students.. In 2016, the AFA national office increased this support funding to $24,250. This additional 2016 funding allowed 10,322 additional students to be fully supported in the ACE program at a $2.35 per capita cost (3% more students than 2015). AFA Chapters have also sponsored 340 classrooms, well above the 250 classroom anticipated goal. This additional support directly supported another 9,300 students at a $2.50 per capita cost for a total number of 19,622 students.. The AFA, as the ACE Presenting Sponsor, is prominently recognized on all curriculum, teacher and school plaques, student certificates, and ACE t-shirts. Due to the AFA s financial support and chapter commitment to support the schools, AFA is ultimately supporting the largest group of ACE students in the 10-year history of the program. Overall, over 25,000 students and 520 teachers in 39 states, are being supported, thus far, in the 2016-2017 academic school year s ACE program. Providing these additional program components has enhanced program interest and promoted enduring public awareness of the AFA by school staff, students families and community members. Through the support of AFA chapters, ACE students were provided ACE shirts which made them feel special, and were introduced to the AFA through AFA chapter speakers, school visitors, award presenters, and field trip organizers. And, the impact of this great partnership has been highlighted in the March 2016 Thank You Video to the Rawlings, MN, AFA Chapter where their sponsored school, University Avenue Aerospace School, shows the pride of the AFA s chapter support. CAP is in the final stages of an in-depth story of the ACE Program s significant growth in the last three years since the AFA has become the Presenting Sponsor, and, classroom supporters to make this program shine. One excerpt from the upcoming CAP ACE story stands out by teacher Kate Watson: CAP connected my school with the local AFA Rawlings chapter. The AFA chapter donated the unique CAP/AFA ACE shirts to the school and provided speakers for special ACE award days. In the thank you notes written to the AFA, a fourth-grade girl wrote: Thank you for the shirt, now I feel like I belong, Watson said. I don't think a day goes by when at least a few students, or staff, are proudly wearing their ACE shirts. AFA chapters have supported ACE schools in 19 states thus far: AL, AZ, CA, FL, GA, IN, MA, MN, MS, NC, NH, NV, NY, OH, SD, TN, TX, UT, WV (52% of the ACE schools currently have AFA support). The second semester of this academic year will continue to connect even more AFA chapters with ACE classrooms around the country to continue to build on this early STEM education outreach program for AFA chapters. We are hoping that 400 teachers are supported by the end of the year by an AFA chapter.
Other AFA Initiatives to Support CAP AFA s Annual Recognition: National CAP Aerospace Education Cadet of the Year Award Nominations received at CAP NHQ and selection forwarded to AFA (Link on CAP s website) Award presented at AFA National Awards Program in September to recipient 2016 AFA s National CAP AE Cadet of the Year: C/Capt Austin Dillow, Lexington Park, MD St. Mary s Composite Squadron AFA s Annual Recognition : CAP Outstanding Squadron Cadet of the Year AFA National provided each requesting CAP squadron a ribbon, medal, and certificate to be presented by an AFA chapter representative to one outstanding cadet in each CAP cadet and composite squadron Link on CAP s Website
AFA s Annual CyberPatriot Program for Schools and JROTC/CAP/Naval Sea Cadets As with each year since the inception of the AFA s CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education program, CAP Cadet units were given the opportunity to compete in the CyberPatriot VII program at no cost to units CAP team participation again increased and CAP was the top organizational group in the All Service Division of the 2016 competition (12% increase in CAP teams from CPVII to CPVIII) (2017 is even greater!) The AFA s 2016 CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Education National Competition showing the presentation of the first inaugural Cyber All American Award to CAP s Colorado Springs C/CMSgt Victor Hammond, who has been a national CP competitor his entire high school career. CAP promotes all AFA-sponsored programs listed above via CAP s AE s AFA website; AE s CyberPatriot page ; mass e-mails to all members; and CAP s Volunteer Now online news. CAP s Volunteer Now article promoting the 2016 National Competition: http://www.capvolunteernow.com/todaysfeatures/?colo_cadet_team_places_3rd_in_cyberpatriot_natl_finals&show=new s&newsid=21773
CAP s Reciprocal Support of the AFA * CAP s complimentary AE membership for AFA TOYs, and teachers working with the AFA or attending AFA teacher workshops and/or museum programs Each complimentary CAP AE membership an AFA chapter gives to a local educator becomes a wealth of FREE STEM resources to ignite an interest in STEM with the teachers and the students! Over 40 Free K-12 aerospace-themed STEM books and modules Ten FREE STEM Kits (with more being developed by CAP each year) Cost to AFA Chapters? Nothing! Cost to Educators? Nothing! About 1,443 AFA-supported teachers have had the regular $35 membership fee waived and received the complimentary memberships worth $60,025 to CAP. * 272 educators received the complimentary membership in 2016- worth $9,520 to CAP. Annual worth to EACH AFA-sponsored CAP educator member? At least $1,000! In 2016 alone, CAP has provided over $272,000 worth of FREE STEM materials to AFA chapter-sponsored educators.
CAP s Reciprocal Support of the AFA: National AFA HQ s annual AE Educator Grant Program promoted to CAP educator members with annual assistance in selection of National AFA s Educator Grants provided by CAP Coordinates CAP cadet units participating in CyberPatriot Program; and promotes the program to units and schools nationwide AFA link embedded in the CAP AE webpage that is also linked to the AFA Teacher page (www.capmembers.com/afa ), with a specific What Does CAP Do For the AFA? page, and the AFA Educational webpage to promote and give guidance for all CAP reciprocal, no-cost programs provided for AFA chapter use : * AFA and CAP members joining and working with both organizations: Join AFA! Also, now working the collaborative Friends of CAP and half-price AFA membership with both organizations * CAP s no-cost AE programs for chapter usage: K-12 Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) Program and K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program * CAP s support of resources and Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) Flights for AFA sponsored teacher workshops * CAP s support for AFA s Museum Initiative * CAP s support for AF-supported Arnold Air Society and Silver Wings STEM Outreach Program Auburn AAS/SW Students Help with Maxwell AFB Aerospace/STEM Day for Area Students
CAP s Reciprocal Support of the AFA: The AFA logo is placed on CAP brochures and curriculum products, denoted as: CAP and AFA: Partners in Aerospace and STEM Education Each year, the new color ACE shirt proudly identifies the AFA as the ACE program shirt sponsor. Over 100,000 shirts have been distributed to students in communities around the country through the years where the AFA logo is prominently seen for enduring Public Awareness of the organization.
CAP s Reciprocal Support of the AFA: AFA sponsorship info printed on over 125,000 CAP K-6 ACE program plaques and certificates distributed nationwide since the ACE program began in 2007
CAP Sends Appreciation to AFA National Headquarters Staff: One of Kari Hahn s divisions, AFA National Aerospace Awards and Grants, with Alex Edgar and Nia Reeves, has continued to provide prompt and professional leadership and service in the AFA/CAP grant and award program partnership The CyberPatriot team has provided excellent support for CP CAP Cadet Teams The AFA has included AFA/CAP partnership initiative stories in the AFA National Report in the AFA magazine, as well as the Newsline and AEC Newsletter The AFA is offering a special half-price membership to CAP members Information about CAP Unit and Educator Grant Winners and National CAP AE Cadet of the Year is posted on the AFA Website The AFA IT staff, alongside Chet Curtis, ensured that CAP s no-cost Aerospace/STEM Ed program offerings are now posted on the AFA website for chapter use Respectfully Submitted with Sincere Appreciation, Susan Mallett Youth Development and AFA Programs Coordinator National Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol smallett@capnhq.gov 1 March 2017 From field trips, to rocketry and robotics, to astronomy, a DNA project and joint endeavors between organizations, the AFA Grant program for CAP units and educator members gives struggling STEM programs a chance to launch and inspire the youth in wonderful ways! The faces of ACE will lift your spirits as the students are lifted with the AFA Sponsorship Support. Enjoy the Photos!
The NY Westchester Cadet Squadron 1 conducted a summer STEM-CYBER Academy to build interest in both the CyberPatriot ansd STK/StellarXplorer programs. The WI Eau Claire Composite Squadron built balsa gliders to launch at a community STEM Day.
A Kenosha, WI, teacher at the Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum, has helped empower her students to be able to learn the fundamentals of Autodesk Inventor CAD software to practice the basics of 3D printing. This grant purchased filament replacement parts, LEDs, batteries, etc. None of this would be possible without this grant. Thank you! At FL s Palm Springs N Elementary School, Spacey kids are happy kids! The Space STEM Club Rocks with funds from the grant!
Cheney Elementary School students from Orlando, FL, experience gravitron experiments and build aerodynamic cars at the Discovery Museum. High school students at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, OK, add the A to STEM for a great STEAM project about planets.
A Blountsville County, TN, first-grade teacher provided a cool museum field trip for her students. What can foam engineering, powerful microscope/lab views, and indoor astronomy do for young children? Power UP for a Primary STEM Explosion!
A Bartlett, TN, Appling Middle School teacher completed her study of thrust, velocity, angle and pressure with rocketry launches. Three, two, one- blast-off! What s missing? Safety goggles!!!
The Air Academy High School AFJROTC in CO Springs, CO, was given a grant, along with 11 other AFJROTC detachments, as AFA National needed assistance fulfilling all of the AFJROTC grant requests at the end of 2016. Since CAP provides AFJROTC instructors complimentaty CAP Aerospace Education memberships, CAP selected those who were CAP members to fund to help AFA national out this year. AFJROTC instructors are given three grant opportunities with AFA funds: the AFA Educator Grants; AFA Grants for AFJROTC, and AFA Grants for CAP Educator Members. It is hoped that with three funding streams, we can continue to provide support to these school employees training the future airmen for our nation. This particular grant recipient has already provided his end-of-grant cycle report with photos, so it is great to include this! The cadets were able to visit the Wings Over the Rockies Air Museum in Denver with tour guides emphasizing wing design and flight controls to align with the aviation studies. The cadets excelled on aerodynamics end-ofchapter assessment after this trip. The instructor was glad to be able to support the operation of a valuable museum. It appears there are some hopeful fighter pilots in this group!!!
A new STEM Charter School in Macon, GA, is embracing all the free STEM materials CAP and AFA can provide--- and, embracing an AFA CAP Educator Grant to fund teacher STEM training at Mission Quest at the Museum of Aviaiton at Robins AFB, GA. These educators are AIMING HIGH to help their students soar..
Poyen, AR, High School students work with DNA electrophoresis chambers conducting a DNA gel electrophoresis lab. They were able to identify strains of bacteria based on DNA size, as well as conduct a paternity test lab. Real life applications for biology and chemistry content --- all thanks to the AFA/CAP grant to help me purchase the final piece of material needed to finish the set of required lab equipment for the lab - the electrophoresis chamber! Thanks so much! Amanda A highlight of the CAP/AFA partnership is the story of an AFA (Lyle) Chapter and State TOY from Poyen, AR, who, in the same year earned the 2015 Presidential Award for Mathematics and Science. As the AFA TOY, she received her complimentary CAP aerospace education membership. She received her new member big box of free K-12 STEM materials, then applied for (and received) an AFA Grant for CAP Educator Members in 2016, and ultimately has begun using CAP s free STEM Kits in her 10 th -12 th grade science classes. She completed an extraordinary project for her AFA Grant for CAP members as noted above. What synergy evolves when AFA, CAP, and Educators join forces!
2016 National ACE Educator of the Year, Tony Vining, at the 2016 National ACE School of the Year, St. Aloysius Catholic School in Yoder, IN, with CAP cadets, the ACE mascot, CAPPY, and the 2016 National ACE Student of the Year hosting the 2016-2017 National ACE Lift-off Event with the Ft. Wayne AFA Chapter as school sponsors and guests.
During the 2016-2017 National ACE Lift-off Event in Yoder, IN, besides outdoor weather balloon launches, a helicopter landing, a CAP airplane flyover, boomerang tosses, aviation activities, and rotorcraft lift-offs, a LARGE group of ACE Program supporters stood strong- demonstrating their united commitment to the students and the teachers to provide ACE and STEM resources, support, speakers, field trips and awards. This credible, collaborative, and committed TEAM is comprised of educators, parents, CAP members, and AFA members from the Ft. Wane chapter to the IN AFA State leadership. Together Each does Achieve More!
Engaged, Enthusiastic Future Aviators in the ACE Program
Inspired ACE Students and Educators Excel with the ACE Program Average score of ACE lessons is 4.5 out of 5. 94%: ACE lessons fit well with the skills, concepts, and/or standards we are required to teach. 95%: The ACE program helped create/foster an interest in/appreciation for aerospace. 93% of ACE teachers intend to participate the following year. Most of those not doing so are retiring. Science thinking test scores increase up to 27% and 46% increase in program knowledge from post tests. 95%: ACE lessons positively affected and reinforced good behavior in the classroom. 98%: ACE lessons, particularly the academic lessons, support STEM education. 97%: Teaching ACE lessons was a valuable use of my time. 97%: I would recommend the ACE program to other educators.
Contact afa@capnhq.gov to see how YOUR AFA face can impact ACE!