Fall 2010 CAP’s Eric Boe to Pilot Last Space Shuttle Program manager, John Shannon, Discovery Shuttle Mission said, “The assembly of the space station could not The final flight of the Space Shuttle space after adding their names to Discovery (STS-133) is scheduled to posters last May as part of the annual have been done without launch on November 1, 2010. The crew Space Day celebration in events across the space shuttle, and the of this historical last mission for the the country. assembly of the space sta- faithful Discovery will include one of Eric Boe, a former CAP cadet and CAP’s own, Lt Col Eric Boe. Eric has currently a senior member of the tion is one of the great piloted one other mission for NASA’s Florida Wing, will be one of six crew engineering achievements space shuttle program, STS-126 members to take the last flight of the of mankind.” Endeavour. Space Shuttle Discovery. Read more about the mission and crew of STS-133 at IN THIS ISSUE http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sh uttle/shuttlemissions/sts133/index.html. AEM Spotlight............ 2 AEO Spotlight ............. 3 ACE Update................. 4 AE Notes.....................5 Curriculum Corner ... 6-9 AFA News.................10 From Dep Dir Desk.....11 Region to Region.......12 STS-133 crew with Robonaut (Eric Boe Aerospace Education News is the 5th astronaut going clockwise Aerospace Education News is the official from Robonaut.) aerospace education quarterly publica- tion of the Civil Air Patrol at CAP The STS-133 launch will be the National Headquarters, Maxwell Air 35th mission to the International Space See associated STS-133 mission les- Force Base, Ala. Station (ISS). This mission will deliver son plans inside Editor and install the Permanent Multipurpose Judy Stone Module and the Express Logistics Questions: Carrier 4, and provide critical space 1. What is the significance of the Contributing Writers components to the ISS. Robonaut 2 will STS-133 launch scheduled for Jeff Montgomery also travel to the ISS to possibly assist November? Susan Mallett with EVAs and become a permanent 2. What CAP member will be the pilot Angie St. John resident on the ISS. Robonaut 2 will for this mission? Debbie Dahl become the first human-shaped robot to fly into space. 3. What is a first for this mission? Printing Service Another significant mission ele- Jacques Pebworth 4. What event is responsible for the ment for this shuttle flight is to carry the Student Signatures in Space pro- signatures of students participating in If you have news, events, or ideas we gram? might consider for the newsletter, please the 2010 Student Signatures in Space program. The students are the latest submit them electronically to (Answers on page 5) [email protected]. group to have their signatures flown in Aerospace Education Member (AEM) Spotlight ... Rachael Manzer, CT National CAP AE Teacher of the Year students use the inquiry skills she has School where she is the STEM coordi- taught them to construct meaning for nator. themselves. Rachael Manzer is continuing to From the beginning of her teaching expand her knowledge and resources to career in New Hartford, Connecticut, in share with her students and her peers. 1991, she became a leader in science She goes to great lengths to present her education from local to state to national passion to them...even to the edge of venues. Locally, Rachael volunteers space. As one of the finalists in the her time by presenting aerospace pro- Teacher in Space initiative, she has grams at museums and local libraries. joined six other teachers from across On the state level, in 2008, she was the country as the Pathfinder 7, a group elected by her peers across the state to of astronaut teachers who will travel into Rachael Manzer (left) with CAP serve as President Elect of the suborbital space to conduct experi- National Commander, Maj Gen Amy S. Connecticuit Science Teachers’ ments and then bring the experience Courter (right) at CAP National Board Association. Nationally, Rachael has back to the classroom. Similarly, Awards Banquet been the kick-off presenter for NASA, Rachael has experienced the CAP the National Institute of Aerospace Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) Rachael Manzer has the “right stuff” to (NIA), and Virginia Space Grant Flight which takes teachers on flights in be the CAP National AE Teacher of the Consortium two-week educator work- CAP aircraft to get them excited about Year for 2010. Rachael’s students are shops. flying and share that experience with actively engaged in their own learning One of Rachael Manzer’s many their students. as they design their own investigations, accomplishments was designing and With educators, such as Rachael collect information, and share ideas with securing funding for the Frontiers in Manzer, promoting aerospace to stu- others. Her classroom is a learning envi- Science: Career Exploration Program. dents through their own personal expe- ronment that captures the essence of The purpose of the program was to help riences and excitement, the next gener- science and fun and where every child minority students build an awareness of ation of scientists, engineers, and air is successful. Rachael’s educational STEM (Science,Technology, and space pioneers are on the threshold philosophy is that her role as a teacher Engineering, and Mathematics) careers of even more exciting discoveries and is not to be the bearer of all knowledge and show pathways to help students exploration. Congratulations, Rachael! as much as it is to facilitate learning so enter the STEM career pipeline. This “Just imagine 240 stu- program immersed 150 middle school students from 21 towns in STEM career dents gathered in the gym- exploration. Rachael Manzer brought nasium around a 21 inch industry leaders right into the classroom television watching the and the students out to the industry to see careers in aerospace in action. first shuttle flight. It was Students visited Pratt and Whitney at that moment that I where jet engines are built and Hamilton became inspired and fasci- Sundstrand where the space suit is built. nated about the explo- This year Rachael will initiate the Rachael with aviation pioneer, Mary Feik, at ration of space.” implementation of CAP’s K-6 Aerospace CAP National Board. ---Rachael Manzer Connections in Education (ACE) Photo courtesy of: Maj Stephen Rocketto, Program at her new STEM Magnet Director of Aerospace Education CT WG 2 Fall 2010 Aerospace Education News Aerospace Education Officer (AEO) Spotlight............... Maj Robert H. Thomas (WI-184 AEO) Left: CAP National Commander, Maj Gen Amy Courter, National CAP Aerospace Education presents Maj Robert Thomas Officer of the Year with the AEO of the Year Award Major Robert H. Thomas, Aerospace Education Officer for Walco After a Teacher Orientation Program (TOP) Composite Squadron in the Wisconsin Wing, received the National Aerospace Flight with Maj Thomas, teacher Jeff Tracy Education Officer of the Year Award in San Diego at the CAP Annual National said excitedly, as he exited the airplane,”My Board and Conference for 2010. Maj goal for aerospace education is to take my Thomas enthusiastically promotes all aspects of the Aerospace Education students higher than the plane ride I just Program in his squadron. The cadets, senior members, and education com- took!” munity benefit from Maj Thomas’s dedi- cation and willingness to go above and beyond to provide hands-on aviation, space and technology opportunities. From promoting the Yeager test for sen- ior members to participation in the Aerospace Education Excellence (AEX) program for cadets, Maj Thomas devotes time and energy to a program that he has a great interest in seeing succeed. Since 2001, Maj Thomas has set a high standard for the members of his squadron. He has not only achieved benchmarks in his own CAP profession- al development (attending both the Above left: Maj Thomas instructs teachers during a TOP Flight National Aerospace Education Officers Above right: Maj Thomas shares his enthusiasm for airplanes with a student at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture School and the Great Lakes Region AEO School, passing the Yeager test, Orientation Program (TOP) Flights for from American Airlines in 2007. The and achieving the senior rating in the community educators who are CAP professionalism and commitment that AE Specialty Track), but also expecting Aerospace Education Members he has exhibited his entire life is being great strides forward from the other (AEMs). shared with the members of the Walco members of his squadron in aerospace Maj Thomas’s desire to pass on his Composite Squadron. They are truly education. experiences and knowledge dates back fortunate to have him as their Maj Thomas also gives freely of his to childhood when he spent his Aerospace Education Officer and inspir- time, experience, and knowledge in the allowance on airplane model kits and ing mentor. Congratulations to Maj community through career presenta- aviation magazines. He soloed at age Thomas and to CAP for recognizing his tions, aerospace education classes for 16, got his private pilot’s license at age worth and value. organizations and schools, and Teacher 18, flew A-7s in the Navy, and retired Aerospace Education News Fall 2010 3 K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education (ACE) Program The 2010-2011 ACE Program has Program materials are additional to the grown from 6,500 students to 9,500 stu- materials received as an Aerospace dents, with more schools registering Education Member (AEM). weekly. About 350 educators across 26 If you are an elementary educator states are involved in this high-interest, in grades K-6 and are interested in structured enrichment program. this program, please contact What is the ACE Program? It is a [email protected].