What is an Aerospace Education Membership?

Accessing Aerospace Materials and Science Curriculum for Kids

Nov 20, 2009 Jamie Hobbs

For $35 or less educators and homeschoolers can access 20 national standards based science education programs, eligibility for $250 grant, and a aerospace awards program.

Aerospace Education Member (AEM) is a special category of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) membership designed for educators and homeschoolers to access free products and programs. The materials teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and aerospace careers while aligning with National Academic Content Standards. AEMs have a yearly membership fee of $35, however it is possible to get a grant from the Air Force Association.

Free Aerospace Materials

AEM have access to over 20 free different science curriculum. Unit study packets available include

• The International Space Station [National Civil Air Patrol Headquarters, 2007]
• The Wright Brothers from Bicycles to Airplanes[NHQCAP 2002]
• General Aviation[NHCAP, 1992]
• “The Lone Eagle” Charles A. Lindbergh [NHQCAP 1991]

Activity books are available about

• Amelia Earhart [NHQCAP, 1994]
• Wilbur and Orville Wright [NHQCAP, 1996]
• Charles A. Lindbergh [NHQCAP, 2009]
• Uncle Wiggly Wings and Fun In Flight; Exploring careers in the Aerospace World [NHQCAP 1995]

The Civil Air Patrol Mini-Book of Logic and Puzzles has 19 different logic puzzles to solve all with an aerospace connection.

Posters and paper airplane templates are also available. Posters available include the Space Shuttle Posters, a set of five unique posters, Chronology of Aerospace Events, Jet Engine, and the Scramjet. Airplane templates include the CAP plane, the NBAA airplane and the Glenn Glider.

In Depth Aerospace Studies

Science teachers working with students between the ages of 4 and 8 years of age will find seventeen fun hands on activities in Aerospace for the Very Young . The 4 in 1 Aerospace Activity Booklet I, 4 in 1 Aerospace Activity Booklet II, Uncle Wiggly Wings, and Fun in Flight: Exploring Careers in the Aerospace World are also useful resources for younger students.

Kindergarten through fifth grade science teachers have the opportunity to participate in the Aerospace Excellence Awards Program (AEX). Participants can choose from thirty seven different activities in AEX I volume 1 or AEX I volume 2. After completing six activities and completion of one, two-hour aerospace related activity (like a trip to an airport) students will receive a Certificate of Completion and the educator will receive a plaque and may choose to receive one hour of graduate credit through Adams State College.

Sixth grade through twelfth grade science teachers have the same opportunity to participate in the AEX program using AEX II volume 1, AEX II volume 2 and AEX for Senior Members with over 51 different activities to choose from.

High school science teachers may choose to use Aerospace: The Journey of Flight [NHQCAP 2008], a 675 page hard cover textbook. The twenty-seven chapters include units on the history of air power, principles of flight and navigation, the aerospace community, air environment, rockets, and space. The Teacher’s Guide for Aerospace: The Journey of Flight [NHQCAp, 2009]includes lesson plans, activities and tests.

Aviation Education

Focusing on the science of flight, Aerospace Dimensions [NHQCAP, 2000]is a six module program for students 12 years and older. It includes an introduction to flight, aircraft systems and airports, air environment, rockets, the space environment and spacecraft. Each module also has a leader guide. Science activities, vocabulary, and comprehension questions are a part of each module.

Each of these six modules can be taught as an independent unit or as a yearlong science curriculum. The modules do not need to be taught in a specific order. These modules can also be used for additional information with the AXE I and AXE II programs. The activities in Aerospace Dimensions can count as one of the six activities recorded for the AXE certificates.

Additional Science Resources

Aerospace education members have the option of participating in an orientation flight. Those who choose to start a CAP Cadet program in their school also give their students an opportunity to participate in orientation airplane and glider flights. The Air Force Association has a $250 educator grant and may also sponsor your AEM Membership.

The copyright of the article What is an Aerospace Education Membership? in Curricula/Lesson Plans is owned by Jamie Hobbs. Permission to republish What is an Aerospace Education Membership? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Aerospace Aviation

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