Civil Air Description of CAP’s ACE Program: Teachers of grades K-6 take learning to new heights with Civil Air Patrol’s (CAP’s) Aerospace Connections in Education Patrol’s (ACE) Program! This aerospace-themed program provides educators with engaging, cross-curricular lessons that support science, technology, engineering, ACE Program and math (STEM) education. ACE program teachers can: enrich classroom instruction (teach ordinary subjects in extraordinary ways), foster good-natured and healthy citizens, foster an interest in/appreciation for aerospace, and inspire the next generation’s STEM workforce, especially the future aerospace workforce. CAP’s ACE Program is available to any K-6 educator who is a member of CAP. CAP is a non-profit, humanitarian organization, and is the official Auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com for more CAP information. www.capmembers.com/ace FREE materials included in CAP’s ACE Program: The Aerospace A grade-level specific set of 21 aerospace-themed lessons that are correlated Connections in Education to national academic standards, inexpensive and easy to conduct, and divided (ACE) Program is a free into well-rounded categories of academics, character ed, and physical fitness. A classroom set of an aerospace item (e.g., balsa planes, foam rockets, etc.) aerospace education A classroom set of ACE student certificates and an ACE teacher plaque upon program for members of successful completion of the ACE Program Civil Air Patrol who teach Requirements to participate in CAP’s ACE Program: 1) Have a current membership in CAP. (Go to www.capmembers.com/joinaem for more information and to register online. A one-time $35 membership fee brings benefits that include over 25 free K-12 educational products and other free opportunities found at www.capmembers.com/ae. If an entire school wishes to participate in the ACE program, a school rep should email [email protected] prior to any teachers registering for CAP membership info.) 2) Register online for the ACE program between September 1- December 1 with Testimonials: ACE registration directions provided for each teacher. Fantastic program that engaged my 3) Teach a minimum of 10 of the 21 ACE lessons from the grade-specific ACE students in active learning. curriculum guide to a class of students during the school year. (When an Wonderful way to involve parents and entire school conducts the program, the classroom teacher, the counselor and the community in the school. the P.E. teacher can share the instruction of the lessons and can even invite th My 5 grade ACE students mentor a guest instructors to teach some lessons.) kindergarten ACE class. My students had the highest state 4) Submit a brief, online program completion form. science test scores in our county. This validates how aerospace can and Accolades for CAP’s ACE Program: does cover state standards. Program participation reaching almost 700 educators & 17,000 students in 28 The program is well organized, easy to wings during 2013-2014 school year, thanks to Presenting Sponsor, the Air follow, & age appropriate. Force Association (AFA); and supporting sponsors FLIR Systems , Inc ., The kids loved the lessons. The program has been a great addition to Lightspeed Aviation Foundation, and generous CAP members. our STEM curriculum. Guest instructors and award presenters, such as CAP members, It brought the school together parents, and community volunteers, offer positive role models. (Great way with a common theme. to involve parents and the community in school programs! Great way to introduce the CAP cadet program to students! Great way to get school media coverage!) Several participants have reported a positive impact on standardized science test scores, such as a 27% improvement in scientific thinking scores. About 90% of educators complete the program and intend to participate again. Almost 90% of ACE educators surveyed stated that the ACE lessons fit well, overall, with the standards, concepts, and skills they are required to teach. CAP ACE Logo An average 4.8 out of 5 rating for overall ACE program efficacy.
Additional details, including sample lesson plans, are available online at www.capmembers.com/ace. Questions? Email [email protected]. If so, contact [email protected] for information on how YOUR squadron can become involved in “sponsoring” and supporting K-6 grade ACE students.
SQUADRON “SPONSORSHIP” SUPPORT:
CAP squadrons can “sponsor” classrooms in the ACE program by introducing the educators to the program and offering to assist in any appropriate or possible manner. Suggested ways squadron members can support the educator’s efforts:
Offer to participate as guest speaker(s) or help arrange for special aerial-related demonstrations at a school ACE “Lift-off” event or culmination ceremony Offer to arrange student tours of local airport, military installation, aerospace museum or other aerospace-related facility Volunteer to teach one or more ACE lessons, which would enhance the community service option of the squadron’s partnership with the school and share the message with young people that “we care about you and your future” Upon completion of the program, make a special presentation of the CAP ACE educator plaque and student certificates at an appropriate school event Offer to purchase CAP ACE shirts for one or more classes at about $180 per class (For more information, contact [email protected].)
HOW TO START:
Locate a K-6 educator who may want to participate- or check out last year’s ACE Roll Call link at ACE website, www.capmembers.com.ace, to find schools involved last year and let us know at [email protected] so that we can connect you with the educator or school. Direct educator to ACE website and share ACE flyer (on other side and also found on website). Determine level of commitment from educator and squadron. Assist in any manner or request assistance from [email protected]. If educator is interested, contact [email protected] for registration between 1Sept and 1 Dec.
PROGRAM COST AND SPONSORSHIP COST:
The program comes at no cost to schools.
If CAP squadrons or squadron members wish to support classrooms with ACE t-shirts that promote team cohesiveness and public awareness of CAP’s educational outreach, contact [email protected]. (A class set of ACE shirts will cost about $180.)